One of the oldest habits in Philippine politics is this: when politicians begin losing power, they begin speaking more frequently about God. When alliances collapse, when surveys weaken, when impeachment looms, when leadership positions become unstable, public officials suddenly rediscover spirituality. Their speeches become saturated with references to prayer, divine destiny, providence and moral righteousness. God becomes political insulation. Religion becomes reputation management. The pattern is painfully familiar. Vice President Sara Duterte frequently opens or closes speeches with “Assalamu alaikum,” invoking her Mindanao roots and signaling solidarity with Muslim communities in the South. Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, meanwhile, recently justified the bloody Duterte drug war as “pro-life,” claiming in effect that “Ayaw ni Lord ng drugs,” as though divine morality somehow...