New CBCP chief extends 'open communication line' with Duterte administration

MANILA - Newly-installed Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Romulo Valles has said he is open to have a dialogue with the current administration.

In an interview with CBCP News, the Davao Archbishop, a known friend of the Duterte family, said that "communication lines are open" between the Filipino bishops and the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

"[Now matter] how [the government] proposes [their] critique, our standpoint is we come from the viewpoint of the gospel and the teachings of the Church. We will continue to engage the government," Valles said.

Valles' leadership of the Catholic hierarchy comes amid tense ties between the influential church and the administration under the last CBCP leadership following exchanges on critical issues, particularly deaths under Duterte's war on drugs.

• CBCP: 'In the name of God, stop the killings!'
• Duterte: Catholic Church full of s**t

While downplaying his friendship with the President, the archbishop admitted that he is "a little fortunate" since he and Duterte are both Davaeños.

Valles also stressed that the CBCP is a collegial body and, therefore, decides in a "manner of consensus."

The Davao archbishop was elected to lead the powerful conference of Filipino bishops in July 2017 and formally assumed the position in December.

• READ: Davao archbishop is new CBCP president

Under the leadership of his predecessor Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, the relationship between Duterte and the powerful conference of Filipino bishops turned sour with exchanges of criticism.

• READ: Archbishop Villegas exits as CBCP president

Villegas issued a series of statements condemning some of the President's policies, most notably the war against drugs. The administration has repeatedly denied that reported killings under the campaign were state-sponsored.

The former CBCP president also opposed Duterte's decision to allow the burial of deposed dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Villegas served as a long-time secretary of the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, who was among pivotal figures in the 1986 EDSA revolution which toppled the Marcos regime.

In response, the President branded the Catholic Church as the "most hypocritical institution" and accused the clergy of corruption and sexual misconduct.

• Duterte calls Catholic Church 'most hypocritical institution'