Today's meeting between Church and State

Yesterday, President Rodrigo "Digong" Duterte formally received a copy of the draft constitution from the Consultative Committee (Concom) that proposes to shift the Philippines from its present unitary form of governance and into a federal state. To turn the Philippines into a federal state was one of the campaign promises made by President Duterte, and he proposes to quit from power the moment that a federal system is installed in the country.

But this is not an easy task simply because the Aquino political family does not want this change in our present system of governance. Just look at the names of the Pro-Aquino loyalists like former chief justice Hilario Davide Jr., former Commission on Elections chief Christian Monsod, and Solita Monsod who have been telling ignorant Filipinos that a federal form of government is anti-poor. Groups like Workers Against Tyranny, Corruption, and Human Rights violation, the Urban PoorAction Committee, and the Council of the Laity of the Philippines are chastising these charter change efforts.

One of the things that these groups are saying is that, even if we change our type of government, if we are ruled by the same political dynasties, we are not assured of a solution to this type of cancer in society. Political dynasties are the cancer. Come now, aren't theAquino political family a political dynasty themselves? Why don't they answer this coalition supporting them? What I cannot understand is why is the Council of the Laity of the Philippines is involved in this coalition? Perhaps the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines should give us an explanation since many of us also belong to the Council of the Laity in the Catholic Church and from what I know about this group, they are not political.

Meanwhile, I'm sure Malacañang will publish the draft constitution that President Duterte will receive from the Concom. We only know of certain issues that have already been published. The most common was that under the new Charter, President Duterte can seek another term of office. He has always insisted that the moment the Philippines becomes a federal country he will no longer seek political power. For the record, not only President Duterte can seek the office of president, but this also includes all former presidents. Of course this is still a draft charter and we can propose changes before this is presented to the Filipino people.

***

Also today, President Duterte will finally meet with CBCP headed by Davao City Archbishop Romulo Valles. At least The Philippine STAR quoted the president saying, contrary to what critics said against him after calling the Almighty stupid: "I have a deep, abiding faith in God." From the time President Duterte won the presidency, I never questioned his faith in God because when he learned that he won, he went to the grave of his mother to pray to her, asking her help. Anyone who goes to the grave to seek prayers from the dead is a man who believes in God.

One advantage in meeting with the CBCP head is that, they know each other with Valles being Archbishop of Davao City. If there is anything that President Duterte should ask Valles it is why the Catholic Laity of the Philippines is involved in the antiCharter coalition. In my book, the catholic laity should not be involved in political matters, but matters of the Catholic Church. More so that the issue of separation between Church and State is once more being brought into the open.

Frankly speaking, I certainly hope that Valles convinces the president not to discuss his interpretation of his own religious beliefs because it pains people, especially Catholics. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte already said it before that the Filipino people should not listen to the president when he talks about his religion. We elected him as president and not to be pastor of a church.

But if anything positive comes out in today's meeting between President Duterte andArchbishop Valles, then we should be informed about this. Otherwise, it is better for media to keep things quiet because whatever the two discuss is better off kept between them.