MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte's tough talk is not bullying but an expression of "dislike" and a warning to criminals to deter them from committing illegal acts, Malacañang said Tuesday. You use the pulpit for bullying people, then it's the same," he said of the Catholic Church, which remains influential in the Philippines. You cannot be using power to bully or to coerce people. Asked to explain what the president does, Panelo said: "He expresses his sentiment on a particular matter, situation. If you don’t want to talk to me, I don’t want to talk to you,” he added.

Source: Philippine Star December 18, 2018 07:41 UTC