Decades before his shot at the presidency, President Duterte once aspired of becoming a Catholic priest.
Addressing the gathering of a religious group in Davao City last Wednesday night, the President admitted that he asked his mother’s permission to join the priesthood when he was a teenager.
“I asked permission from my mother kasi ‘yung challenge ang trabaho ng pari. I considered one time in my life being a priest,” the President said.
Duterte, however, felt relieved that his plan did not push through. “Mabuti na lang hindi ako nasali doon. Ngayon, naging bakla na ako,” the former Davao City mayor said, drawing laughter from the crowd.
The President said he remains a loyal member of the Catholic Church although he expressed dismay with the sexual abuses and homosexuality committed by some priests.
He recalled an incident when he sexually abused by a Jesuit priest while studying at the Ateneo de Davao University in Davao City.
Duterte said he was fondled by “Fr. Falvey” when he was doing confession. “Sa kanya, libre hipo,” he said after the priest asked him to pray several Our Father’s and Hail Mary’s.
He first revealed his priest-abuser last December when he was planning to run for president. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)