DAVAO CITY, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – After coming under fire for cursing Pope Francis during a campaign speech in Manila last year, Philippine presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte said he had been forgiven by the Vatican through a letter he recently received from the Catholic Church hierarchy.

However, the Davao City mayor said he will only release a copy of the letter after the elections so that he will not be accused of using it for political and campaign purposes.

During a visit to the convent of the Sto. Niño Parish in Ubay, Bohol, with his running mate Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Duterte said he had asked for forgiveness from the Pope and he “received a positive response.’’

An alleged copy  of the letter to Duterte ( see below) has been circulating on the Internet, presumably leaked by a source close to Duterte. The Adobo Chronicles could not confirm the authenticity of the letter, but based on its content, nowhere did The Vatican say the Pope has forgiven Duterte.

So is he or is he not forgiven ?