Author Topic: Lawmaker wants religion out of gov't offices (Read 1685 times)

hubag bohol · « **on:** June 17, 2012, 09:07:22 AM »

Philstar â€“ Sat, Jun 16, 2012

Manila, Philippines - A party-list lawmaker is seeking to ban religious symbols and the holding of religious ceremonies in government offices, citing the provisions on freedom of religion in the Constitution.

Kabataan party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino, in filing a measure titled â€œReligious Freedom in Government Offices Act,â€ said his bill seeks to empower heads of offices and departments to strictly follow the constitutional provision on the freedom of religion in the exercise of their official functions, and in the use of government facilities and property.

â€œThe constitutional provision asserts the republican and secular nature of the state, such that although laws could be religious in its deepest roots, it must have an articulable and discernible secular purpose and justification to pass scrutiny of the religion clauses,â€ he said.

Under Section 4 of the bill, religious ceremonies shall not be undertaken within the premises and perimeter of their offices, departments and bureaus, including publicly owned spaces and corridors within such offices, departments and bureaus.

â€œReligious symbols shall not be displayed within the premises and perimeter of their offices, departments and bureaus, including publicly owned spaces and corridors within such offices, departments and bureaus,â€ the measure stated.

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hubag bohol · « **Reply #1 on:** June 17, 2012, 09:07:55 AM »

Palatino cited Section 5 of the Constitutionâ€™s Bill of Rights that â€œthe free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious test shall be required for the exercise of civil or political rights.â€

â€œRecognizing the religious nature of the Filipinos and the elevating influence of religion in society, however, the Philippine Constitutionâ€™s religion clauses prescribe not a strict but a benevolent neutrality,â€ Palatino said.
He said â€œbenevolent neutralityâ€ recognizes that government must pursue its secular goals and interests but at the same time strive to uphold religious liberty to the greatest extent possible within flexible constitutional limits.

â€œHowever, despite the clear provisions and jurisprudence on the non-establishment and non-sponsorship of the state of any religion, it has been observed that religious ceremonies and symbols are prominently done or placed, respectively, in several government offices,â€ the lawmaker said.

He noted that religious ceremonies are also undertaken preparatory to the conduct of state affairs, such as the recital of ecumenical prayers before court hearings, flag ceremonies, government meetings, among others.

â€œThe state cannot be seen to favor one religion over the other, in allowing the prominent conduct and display of religious ceremonies and symbols, respectively, in public offices and property,â€ Palatino said. - By Paolo Romero (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)

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hubag bohol · « **Reply #2 on:** June 17, 2012, 09:08:53 AM »

Hmm, TB members, unsay inyong ikasulti kabahin niining maong proposal?

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MikeLigalig.com · « **Reply #3 on:** June 17, 2012, 09:24:02 AM »

nagpapel na pud ning anti-Christ nga partylist member.

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MikeLigalig.com · « **Reply #4 on:** June 17, 2012, 09:25:16 AM »

if it ain't broke, why fix it? wala man nay problema nganong aproblemahon man? aron ingnon nga naay trabaho sya nga mao ang paggama ug walay pulos nga balaod.

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MikeLigalig.com · « **Reply #5 on:** June 17, 2012, 09:26:32 AM »

sunod ana bawal na ang prayer ug Bible ug pagmention sa name sa Ginoo sulod sa mga schools. sunod-sunod sa doomed America.

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Lorenzo · « **Reply #6 on:** June 17, 2012, 09:51:49 AM »

It's following bible prophesy of how the Anti-Christ will attack the faithful. Am i surprised? No. The same thing is already true here in the United States. Despite the fact that America was founded as a Christian nation and even tho over 75% of the American people are Christian, there are anti-Christian policies enforced and catalyzed to maintain a secular feeling in government and society.

One blatant hypocrisy is how Jewish-Americans complain about Christian teachings and Christian stories are perpetuated in American media and in government, and want the ceasure of Christian terminology or Christian symbolism in government, yet at the same time, the Jewish-Americans via the wing of the ACLU, ADL, try to support Jewish faith. Dali mo complain ang mga Jewish-Americans how the Christians put their faith down Jewish throats, and are so quick to go against Christian policies or Christian-related symbolism, but the Jewish-Americans are the ones who use the ACLU or ADL (anti defamation league) to protest whenever secular policies affect Jewish right to wear their religious attire on public occasions or quick to complain when there are anti-semitic actions perpetuated on them.

Hypocrisy.

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Lorenzo · « **Reply #7 on:** June 17, 2012, 09:54:07 AM »

Philstar â€“ Sat, Jun 16, 2012

Manila, Philippines - A party-list lawmaker is seeking to ban religious symbols and the holding of religious ceremonies in government offices, citing the provisions on freedom of religion in the Constitution.

Kabataan party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino, in filing a measure titled â€œReligious Freedom in Government Offices Act,â€ said his bill seeks to empower heads of offices and departments to strictly follow the constitutional provision on the freedom of religion in the exercise of their official functions, and in the use of government facilities and property.

â€œThe constitutional provision asserts the republican and secular nature of the state, such that although laws could be religious in its deepest roots, it must have an articulable and discernible secular purpose and justification to pass scrutiny of the religion clauses,â€ he said.

Under Section 4 of the bill, religious ceremonies shall not be undertaken within the premises and perimeter of their offices, departments and bureaus, including publicly owned spaces and corridors within such offices, departments and bureaus.

â€œReligious symbols shall not be displayed within the premises and perimeter of their offices, departments and bureaus, including publicly owned spaces and corridors within such offices, departments and bureaus,â€ the measure stated.

Philippines is a Christian nation. Over 92% of the Philippines are of the Christian faith: 80% are Catholic Christians, and some 12% are Protestant Christians. The remainder are either muslim, buddhist, or other religious faith.

I say keep everything as is. The overwhelming majority of the 100 million Filipinos are Christian.

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islander · « **Reply #8 on:** June 18, 2012, 12:39:18 AM »

one more idiot of a legislator. his priorities are askew, his interpretation of an item on religion in the constitution too shallow and literal. but that put him in the news, obviously.

hey, why couldn't he set his sights on a constitutional provision that could be better interpreted into a bill, like article II section 26, otherwise known as the anti-dynasty provision? wouldn't our legislative branch be more credible if there were less cayetanos, no enrile son or pimentel son, no possible senator kris aquino, no congressman son filling in a father's slot, or wife, or daughter, no tagbilaran nephew or brother gunning for an outgoing mayor's position, etc.?

it's been more than 20 years and congress never came up with an enabling law on this provision. let's hope this unknown youth representative challenges himself to commit this political harakiri.

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islander · « **Reply #9 on:** June 18, 2012, 12:41:15 AM »

why didn't his proposed bill also include a provision on disqualifying political candidates who court iglesia ni cristo votes? hyprocrites.

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islander · « **Reply #10 on:** June 18, 2012, 03:55:35 AM »

hypocrites gyod kay mora uroy ug di nila ibansiwag ilang mga nawong sa mga infrastructure projects, morag silay mga ginoo.

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chicogon · « **Reply #11 on:** June 18, 2012, 07:31:05 AM »

Hehehe... kana ba. Kasab-e jud. Kung molusot ang iyang bill... then, mao lang gehapon ang kahimtang, only this time, evil or anti-religion ang nagmadaugon. Religion gehapon... pero mga anti lang. Di ko sugot ana!!!

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hubag bohol · « **Reply #12 on:** June 18, 2012, 08:25:05 AM »

Hmm, naa ba kahay penal clause ning iyang bill, unya unsa kaha ang silot nga iyang gipangandoy...

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Lorenzo · « **Reply #13 on:** June 18, 2012, 12:42:08 PM »

why didn't his proposed bill also include a provision on disqualifying political candidates who court iglesia ni cristo votes? hyprocrites.

a very big point, indeed.

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islander · « **Reply #14 on:** June 18, 2012, 04:54:24 PM »

Hmm, naa ba kahay penal clause ning iyang bill, unya unsa kaha ang silot nga iyang gipangandoy...

nagtoo tingali ning tontoha nga moaso ang tanang mabenditahan pareha niya.

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taga tigbao · « **Reply #15 on:** June 18, 2012, 07:17:08 PM »

Way buot ning Congressmana!

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bagets · « **Reply #16 on:** July 30, 2012, 10:49:47 AM »

Kabataan party list is one of the legal arms of the CPP-NPAs who are espousing communism.

Well, because of the heat generated by this controversy/travesty, he withdrew his proposed bill..

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Lorenzo · « **Reply #17 on:** July 30, 2012, 12:01:16 PM »

Kabataan party list is one of the legal arms of the CPP-NPAs who are espousing communism.

Well, because of the heat generated by this controversy/travesty, he withdrew his proposed bill..

It proves that some radical ideologies do not mix well with the religiously conservative Filipino society. It was wise of the proposer to remove his proposed bill. Bagets, it is quite interesting to hear that the CPP is still alive in the Philippines.

The young generation often forget their history, particularly the gruesome years in which the Philippine Government had to combat the CPP-backed Hukbalahap Rebellion during 1950's. Thanks to the smart political maneuvering as well as military strategy of former Pres. Ramon Magsaysay, that rebellion was crushed and effectively destabilized the CPP from ever becoming a force in Philippine politics.

Tho I often wonder...

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Lorenzo · « **Reply #18 on:** July 30, 2012, 12:04:10 PM »

why didn't his proposed bill also include a provision on disqualifying political candidates who court iglesia ni cristo votes? hyprocrites.

That is a good point, Isles. I do wonder if the proposer was a member of the INC.

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Lorenzo · « **Reply #19 on:** July 30, 2012, 12:12:05 PM »

What is interesting is that the CPP used to organize protests against the United States Embassy , however, I have not seen any mass protests at the Chinese Embassy against Chinese military provocation in the Scarborough Shoal.

Hypocrisy. Why don't wont these imbeciles know that communism is ideologically flawed....the collapse of the USSR is testament to that. Even China , who is communist by paper, even does not follow pure Leninist anti-capitalist philosophy. The Chinese are communist only by paper, but are capitalist / autocratic in function.

CPP members and supporters need to get back to reality....

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bagets · « **Reply #20 on:** July 30, 2012, 01:22:37 PM »

well just recently diha koy theory nadunggan bahin ani;

Ang China ang gabahug sa CPP para di ta moasenso kay kon moasenso ta naa na ta resources para pangusgan ato claim sa Kalayaan Island Group maong gahilum-hilum ra sila kabahin sa Chinese intrusions.

on the other hand, ang Malaysia gibahugan ang MILF kay nahadlok sila nga moabot ang panahon kitay moasenso kaya na nato i.finance ang pagbawi sa Sabah pareha sa Jabidah movement.

so mao nang di pa ta ka move-on aning mga samokan sa katilingban..

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