Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Davao, Rodrigo Duterte accused the Catholic Church for the nation's fast-growing population.

"I only want three children for every family," he said, vowing to defy bishops on the issue.

"I'm a Christian, but I'm a realist so we have to do something with our overpopulation," Duterte said. "I will defy the opinion or the belief of the Church."

The Philippines is a Southeast Asian country made up of more than 7,000 islands. According to the 2015 census, the population of the Philippines is more than 100 million and is one of the largest in the region.

Eighty percent of the country say they belong to the Catholic Church. A majority of the people oppose abortion and contraception.

In 2012, a law was passed allowing the government to provide contraceptives. Even though the Catholic Church lobbied hard against the law and failed, bishops managed to persuade politicians to cut funding for the contraceptive program.

Now Duterte has vowed to expand the program dramatically when he takes office next month.

Duterte, who is Catholic, has lashed out at his own church in recent days, accusing them of being the "most hypocritical institution" and criticized bishops for getting involved in government policies.

"You sons of whores, aren't you ashamed? You ask so many favors, even from me," Duterte said during a television interview.

The 71-year-old Duterte is expected to take office next month and has vowed before then to confront Catholic bishops who've made money by taking advantage of the poor.

"I will lecture until June 29 the sins of the Catholic Church and whether or not you are still relevant," Duterte told reporters.

The Catholic Church has often played a big role in the nation's political life. But analysts say Duterte is trying to change that.

Antonio Contreras, a political science professor at De la Salle University in Manila, told a French newspaper that Duterte's criticisms of the Catholic Church has garnered him more support and marked the first time a candidate has directly challenged the country's religious elite.

"A lot of ordinary people say it is about time you have to challenge the Church and its hypocrisy," Contreras told AFP. "This is going to be an interesting episode. Whether the Church will use its muscle, we will see what happens."

Duterte is a controversial figure. In November 2015, he called Pope Francis a "son of a whore" after the Pontiff's visit to Manila caused numerous traffic jams.

Weeks later, he wrote to Pope Francis asking for forgiveness for his remark; the Vatican replied offering "assurances of prayers."

Duterte officially becomes president on June 30.

CBN News

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

VA Secretary Collins: Memorial Day Is a 'Moment of Reflection'

2,552 Baptized on Florida Beach: 'Jesus Christ Is Still Changing Lives'

YWAM Pioneer Leland Paris Remembered as 'Father in the Faith' after Passing

NASCAR Champion Kyle Busch Dead at Just 41

'Culture of Fraud': 15 People Indicted in Minnesota Health Care Scandal

$215 Billion Saved: DOGE Exposes Staggering Government Waste across America

State Dept Settles Lawsuit Over Biden-Era Palestinian Authority Payments

RNC Legal Victory Clears North Carolina Voter Roll Purge of Noncitizens through Jury Responses

Tulsi Gabbard Resigns from Trump Cabinet Citing Husband's 'Rare' Illness

Iowa Governor Signs Law Prohibiting Abortions-by-mail

Hollywood Hero Gets Powerful, Hometown Birthday Celebration as Highly Anticipated Biopic Slated to Hit Theaters

Colorado Teacher Refused to Allow 7th Grader to Present Pro-Life Poetry in Class

MS NOW Host SHOCKED That Some Americans Believe They Have God-Given Rights

'Patriot': Fox News' Johnny 'Joey' Jones Reenlists in US Marine Corps; 'What I Do at Fox Is Important, But It's Not as Important as Serving My Country'

FBI Shuts Down India-Based Call Center Scam Targeting Hundreds of Elderly Americans

Congress, DOJ Target Progressive 'Dark Money' Networks in Expanding Investigations

Owner of Day Care in Viral Nick Shirley Video Charged as Part of $4.6M Fraud Scheme: Prosecutors

Cuba Falling: Today Is 'the Beginning of the End'; and Rubio's Powerful Message

US Charges Former Cuban Leader Raúl Castro with Murder for 1996 Aircraft Shootdown

Faith-Tech Merger for 'Glorify' Offers World's First Christian Smart Ring