“Maybe I did something good,” was President Duterte’s frank comment upon becoming President of the Philippines, stopping to consider that he may have “impressed Jesus with a past good deed.”

He also believes that becoming President at the age of 71 was God’s ideal “timing” since ailments associated with old age had begun to surface.

On June 17, Duterte revealed his true colors during the launching ceremony of the Philippine Sports Training Center in Bagac, Bataan. The President noted in his address that he was still unsure what made him deserving of the country’s highest leadership position.

He said, “Ewan ko kung anong nagawa ko sa buhay na ito (I don’t know what is it that I did in this life),”

He added,“Maybe I have done something good na na-impress ko si Jesus (that I have impressed Jesus),”

Only weeks before stepping down as President of the Philippines on June 30 and becoming a private person, Duterte’s emotive statements surprised many, since his previous remarks putting God’s name into question had sparked more controversy than sentiment.

President Duterte, on the other hand, stated that there was never a Holy Week when he did not kneel in front of the altar and talk to God, informing Him about the hardships of his work and begging for His assistance.

But, in keeping with the President’s unique perspective, his dialogue with Jesus went like this:

He stated, “Sa altar ka man mag-kneel down, tingin ako kay Hesukristo. Ingon ko, ‘Jes, pareha talaga ang suwerte natin. Magtulungan na lang tayo, naghihirap na ako dito.’ (I kneel at the altar and look at Jesus Christ. I say, ‘Jesus, our fate are the same. Just help me because I’m finding it difficult, also.’),”

He said that God had intended for him to be where he had been for the past six years.

“Ganoon ang buhay ko. Pero binigyan ako ng Panginoong Diyos na dito (That’s my life. But God intended for me to be here),” He explained.

The President’s comments on his religious beliefs did not end there. He went on to mention Ecclesiastes 3, which begins, “To everything, there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven,” as his favorite Bible scripture.

The President said that everything has its time, and in a thoughtful mood, he predicted that his shine would soon wane.