CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Roman Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Crescenciano “Ciano” Ubod, has drawn mixed reactions from netizens after he was seen signing the petition for the “Tay, Kami Naman” global signature campaign, which is being spearheaded by supporters of former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte (PRRD).
Organizers of the campaign are currently in Cebu as part of their nationwide signature drive. Father Ubod was seen affixing his signature on a coaster bus being used for the campaign, according to videos and posts shared by campaigners on social media.
The priest reportedly joined the signature drive the other day during an activity held outside the Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of Santiago Apóstol de Compostela in Compostela, Cebu. Based on the campaign’s schedule, the signature drive was set to take place in the area that morning.
Paulo Lino Canillo Te, one of the campaigners and organizers of the signature campaign, posted a video showing Fr. Ubod’s participation in the drive, praising the priest’s action.
“Fr. Ciano Ubod supporting Tay Kami Naman. Father has always believed in PRRD’s vision. Thank you, Father. Padayon! Tay Kami Naman,” Te wrote in the caption.
The “Tay, Kami Naman” signature campaign was formally launched on Monday by Duterte Diehard Supporters (DDS) in Cebu City. The initiative calls on the Supreme Court to act on four pending petitions related to the detention of former President Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands.
Organizers said they are hoping to gather around 500,000 signatures nationwide, which they plan to submit to the Supreme Court along with their petitions next month.
Other notable personalities seen signing the campaign include Chavit Singson, former Governor of Ilocos Sur, and movie actor Cesar Montano when they visited Cebu the other day.
PRRD is currently detained at the ICC, where he faces charges of crimes against humanity over his alleged involvement in killings linked to his administration’s war on drugs.
Fr. Ubod’s participation in the campaign quickly sparked debate online, with netizens polarized between praise and criticism.
Supporters lauded the priest for taking a firm stand. One netizen said some priests may disagree with government policies, corruption, and governance issues but choose to remain silent, while Fr. Ubod, according to the commenter, was “brave enough to speak out and unafraid.”
Another netizen described him as a priest with clear principles, saying he openly supports Duterte because of what he personally witnessed as orderly, efficient, and peaceful governance during the former president’s term.
Others defended Fr. Ubod’s right to express his views, arguing that priests, like any other citizens, are entitled to speak on political issues. One commenter said people should not dictate whom the priest should support, adding that those who disagree are free not to attend Mass at his parish.
Several netizens also praised Fr. Ubod’s style of preaching, describing him as straightforward, unbiased, and engaging during Masses, and commended his continued service to both God and the people.
However, other netizens criticized the priest’s involvement in a politically charged campaign, arguing that clergy members should maintain neutrality and avoid public political endorsements, particularly on issues that deeply divide the public.
Fr. Ubod is the head of the Cebu Archdiocesan Prison Apostolate (CAPA), an organization under the Archdiocese of Cebu that focuses on ministering to incarcerated individuals by providing spiritual guidance and promoting rehabilitation through faith.
As of this writing, the Archdiocese of Cebu has not released an official statement regarding Fr. Ubod’s participation in the signature campaign.
| Written by Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/RAE (Photo Courtesy: Screenshot from Paulo Lino Canillo Te’s Video via Facebook)
