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MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte can be a saint if he stops using profanities and disrespecting the sanctity of life, Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani said Sunday after the Chief Executive mocked the Catholic tradition of honoring saints.

On All Saints' Day no less, Duterte joked that Catholics should display a picture of him on altars and venerate "Santo Rodrigo", instead of celebrating saints whom he dubbed "gago" (foolish) and "lasenggo" (drunkard).

"Itong si Presidente Duterte, puwedeng maging Santo Duterte iyan kung iyan ay magbabago, kung titigilan niya iyung pagmumura, kung titigilan niya iyung kaniyang kakulangan ng paggalang sa buhay ng kapwa tao, iyung kaniyang mga panlalait na ginagawa, panggagago sa santo, tao," Bacani told radio DZMM.

(President Duterte can become Saint Duterte if he changes, if he stops using profanities, his lack of respect for the life of his fellow man, and his insults against saints and other people.)

Bacani added that even drunkards and sinners can become saints if they repent and accept Christ, like Saint Paul.

Paul, a Roman citizen and a Pharisee, persecuted Jesus Christ's followers before experiencing a powerful vision that caused him to convert to Christianity.

"In a sense, tama [si Duterte]. Maaaring dating lasenggo, dating mamamatay-tao, dating magnanakaw, kurakot, pero pagkatapos ay nagsisi -- iyan ay mapapabilang sa mga santo, basta tunay na nagsisi at bumaling sa Panginoon," said Bacani.

(In a sense, Duterte is right. A former murderer, thief and corrupt official can become a saint if he truly repents and follows the Lord.)

Malacañang on Saturday said Duterte's statements about saints were said in jest and were not meant to offend Catholics.

Duterte made the controversial remarks on the same day he issued his message for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day wherein he urged Filipinos to “emulate our saints.”

Some Catholics and Church leaders have criticized Duterte over his attacks against the Church and the killings under his anti-narcotics crackdown.

Earlier this year, the President called God “stupid” and questioned several Catholic beliefs, such as the one on creation and the concept of heaven and hell.

Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David called on Filipinos to pray for Duterte, for he is a “very sick man."