By: Pastor Manny
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May mga taong nagbabanggit ng separation of Church and State without knowing what that even means in the first place. May mga nagbabanggit ng:
“SECTION 6. The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable [1].”
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and they assume na ang ibig sabihin niyan ay religious body or people can’t provide opinions. I will be citing from the constitution kung ano ang implication ng separation of church and state to avoid confusion [1].
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“ARTICLE III
Section 5. No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. 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.
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ARTICLE IV
Section 28:
(3) Charitable institutions, churches and parsonages or convents appurtenant thereto, mosques, non-profit cemeteries, and all lands, buildings, and improvements, actually, directly, and exclusively used for religious, charitable, or educational purposes shall be exempt from taxation.
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Section 29:
(2) No public money or property shall be appropriated, applied, paid, or employed, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any sect, church, denomination, sectarian institution, or system of religion, or of any priest, preacher, minister, or other religious teacher, or dignitary as such, except when such priest, preacher, minister, or dignitary is assigned to the armed forces, or to any penal institution, or government orphanage or leprosarium.
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ARTICLE XIV
Section 3:
(3) At the option expressed in writing by the parents or guardians, religion shall be allowed to be taught to their children or wards in public elementary and high schools within the regular class hours by instructors designated or approved by the religious authorities of the religion to which the children or wards belong, without additional cost to the Government.”
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Lastly, let’s remember that the separation of Church and State does not violate freedom of speech.
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“ARTICLE III
Section 4. No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances [1].”
Reference:
[1] https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/1987-constitution/
