Church and State

            It has often been stated that the Philippine Constitution has built an inviolable wall of separation between the Church and the State, so as to ensure that religion and politics do not mix and impede upon each other. Our Constitution in its preamble implored “the aid of the Almighty God.” It accepts the principle of the “free exercise of religion” which means the freedom to believe and the freedom to act based on one’s belief. The Constitution is emphatic in guaranteeing religious liberty which assures that no person or religious organization would be molested, coerced, penalized or discriminated against on account of religious belief. It follows that religious profession and worship are forever allowed, and therefore no law shall be passed that will diminish or destroy religious freedom. Article II, Section 6 “The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.” Article III, Section5 “ 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.”

            But we can never deny the huge influence of religion in Philippine politics, the independent Christian church, Iglesia ni Cristo, the Catholic Charismatic church El Shaddai and the Jesus is Lord, Born-again church are among the religious groups that spheres political influence that is much revered by those who would like to have a seat in the government, these groups are considered as a major political force since its members have been voting as one block. They have millions of members which consist a huge percentage of the voting population, this could give them a head start.” This ‘head start’ is an eye candy to politicians, enough even for presidential candidates to court the sect leader. They deem that whoever is given the blessings of the group’s executive minister, his seat in the government is assured. Roman Catholic involvement in politics is equally well-known, with the most famous example being Cardinal Jaime Sin calling on Filipinos to go out in 1986 to join military rebels at EDSA at the beginning of the People Power Revolution that ousted the authoritarian President Ferdinand Marcos. Being a Catholic country, Special laws ea RH bill, Divorce, Same Sex Marriage etc. always considers the approval of the church, whether it falls under their morals and beliefs is relevant.

            Religion is a freedom of self. It is something personal, not something that controls a vast majority of population. Established law can adapt overtime to suit the situation. However, divine law cannot be challenged. Therefore separation between church and state must exist