Malacañang distanced itself from the criticism made by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. against Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Romulo Valles.

“That’s between the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and to those subject of his criticism. Hindi na natin papasukin yun (We won’t meddle into that),” Panelo said in an interview over dzIQ.

In a Tweet, Locsin called CBCP President and Davao Archbishop Valles “moron in a white Mu-Mu” after he called on the faithful to pray for Vice President Leni Robredo after she was appointed as the country’s drug czar.

Panelo explained that Locsin must have been “triggered” by what Valles said stressing that he would not react that way without basis.

“Ang isang government official, hindi naman magre-react kung walang basis ng kanyang reaction (A government official would not react without basis). There must be something that triggered the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) Secretary to say the things that he said,” he added.

Panelo, however, said there would be no need for Palace to advise Locsin to watch his language.

“DFA Secretary Locsin is a man of substance. He is professional and he knows what he is doing,” he said.

Commenting on an article about Valles’ call to pray for Robredo, Locsin said the former should thank President Rodrigo Duterte for appointing Robredo as drug czar.

Aside from calling him a moron, Locsin also called Valles “an ecclesiastical idiot” and questioned how he passed theology.

Locsin further said Valles was “a disgrace to what is supposed to be the world’s most intellectual religion.”

Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio, in a Facebook post, described Locsin’s remarks as “vitriolic and undiplomatic.” (PNA)