MANILA – Malacañang is still unsure whether or not President Rodrigo Duterte could attend the Pope’s Day celebration in Manila on Friday, June 29, because of his busy schedule.

The event comes amid public outrage over Duterte's outburst calling God stupid, drawing criticism from those of the Christian faith. 

Duterte asks: 'Who is this stupid God?'
‘Totoo naman’: Duterte defends ‘stupid God’ remark

Speaking to reporters, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said he doubts if the President could still accommodate the invitation of the Papal Nuncio in the Philippines, Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, as it was just recently received.

“I’m just wary that because the invitation came so late, the President already has fixed schedules, so I do not have any idea if the President will be able to attend,” Roque told reporters in Malacañang.

“We’re awaiting orders from the PMS (Presidential Management Staff) if the committee will be representing the President on Friday,” Roque said, referring to the 4-man group tasked by Duterte to touch base with the Catholic Church and other Christian groups following his controversial remark. 

After a meeting with the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches on Wednesday, the committee is now looking to hold a dialogue with the CBCP as early as next week.

Evangelical churches 'immensely offended' by Duterte's 'stupid God' remark
Cardinal Tagle appeals for sobriety amid uproar over Duterte's 'stupid God' tirade

Amid uproar over Duterte's latest tirade, the Palace said the President wants a better working relationship with the Church. The President was born and raised a Catholic.

“The President really expected better working relations with the Catholic Church. He’s against divorce, he’s against abortion, he’s against same-sex marriage. Parang perfect naman sila (and that's perfect)… well they seem to agree on what used to be contentious issues between the government and the state,” Roque said. 

“So he was hoping that as we move on to the second year of his administration, that the elections would have been forgotten and that he would have already been accepted by even those who didn’t vote or endorse him as president. We are still looking forward to this kind of cooperation."

Meanwhile, the Palace welcomed Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle's appeal to the Catholics to respect the views of other religions, including atheists.

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