"Religious Freedom in Government Offices Act"
Philippines's Roman Catholic churches availability in the country makes majority of Filipinos claimed that they are roman catholic members of which majority of the Philippine Government offices are headed by RC members.
Many of the Philippine government properties are even used by the church by building their permanent roman catholic's statues such as Grotto of famous saints, and other Roman Catholic symbolism.
Even public owned small streets in Manila areas are clogged by small Purok catholic churches showing the dominance of roman catholic in the country and even small budgetary of the government offices apportioned costs for Roman Catholic fiesta decorations, and other related expenses.
With the dominance of the Roman Catholic in the Philippines which is not also a big issue for the Filipinos as religion and being religious is already part of the Filipino Culture, passing of a law to ban the religious symbol of the government offices might pass through the holes of small spikes.
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 "Religious Freedom in Government Offices Act," 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.
"The 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," 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.
"Religious 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," the measure stated.
Palatino cited Section 5 of the Constitution's Bill of Rights that "the 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."
"Recognizing the religious nature of the Filipinos and the elevating influence of religion in society, however, the Philippine Constitution's religion clauses prescribe not a strict but a benevolent neutrality," Palatino said.
He said "benevolent neutrality" 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.
"However, 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," 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, and among others.
"The 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," Palatino said.
Since the Philippines is the home of the largest number of religious group on the world; the Filipinos are ranked as the most Godly and the most religious people in the world, religious freedom from the government offices would make sense as it would show fair from other religious minorities who did not lead any government offices of the country.
Written by Makisig Bayani
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