MANILA - President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has received praise from at least three Catholic bishops.

Speaking to Radio Veritas, Bishop Honesto Ongtioco of the Diocese of Cubao praised the incoming president's simplicity especially in regard to his inauguration on June 30.

According to the prelate, simplicity is an important quality that a leader must possess and an important value that must be promoted.

"I am happy about the simple inauguration. We need to be simple even in our way of life," Ongtioco said.

Meanwhile, Bishop Antonio Maralit of Boac and Bishop Pedro Arigo of Puerto Princesa said Duterte’s simplicity offers a good example to Filipinos and fosters solidarity with the poor, according to a report by CBCP News.

The president-elect earlier said his oath-taking will be a simple one, breaking away from traditions followed by his predecessors.

The oath-taking will take place in Malacanang's Rizal Hall with a limited number of guests.

READ: What to expect from Duterte's inauguration

The bishops' statements are a breather to a seemingly tense relationship between the Catholic Church and the incoming administration.

At the center are disagreements over controversial policies like the promotion of artificial birth control and death penalty.

Duterte was also not shy in voicing out his criticisms of the Church, calling it a "most hypocritical" institution.

READ: Duterte calls Catholic Church 'most hypocritical institution'