PThe community of nations strongly recognized the innate rights of every human being on earth. For our part as a Filipino nation, we are a signatory to the international law on human rights adopted by the Geneva Convention on Human Rights of the United Nations of which we are a member. It means that all signatories to that law are committed to uphold, protect, and defend the rights of every human being on this planet. One of these rights is the freedom of religion. It is enshrined in our own Constitution. Article III of the Bill of Rights Section 5 provides, “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.” And in Article II, Section 6 provides, “The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.”

On this constitutional provision, it is very clear that the government and its subsidiary components must, at all cost, protect, defend, and uphold the rights of every single individual to freedom of religion and the free exercise thereof. The government is not allowed by law to pass laws in favor of one religion or establishing a state religion. This prohibition includes financial assistance to any religious group in the country. No government money, either from the national or local government units, shall be extended for religious purposes or religious festivals. Because such actuations, either from the national or local government, is a clear violation to the constitutional provisions. Neither the government nor its subsidiary agencies can compel every person within their respective workplace or school campuses to engage in a religious activities which are against their own conscience and religious convictions.

One classic example is whenever there is a town fiesta or religious festival in honor to a patron saint of said town. Most of the time, the local government unit and its organizers will enjoin all students in all public schools – elementary and high school – to participate in what is purely religious festivals under the pain of demerits if in case the students would not comply with the instruction. This has been done in vicious cycle in various towns many times without regards to the religious conviction of some students who by their conscience, cannot participate in a purely religious festivals of one religion on the ground that it is against their biblical conviction and beliefs. These rights to freedom of religion, freedom of worship and the rights to exercise thereof, have been trampled down under foot and suppressed many times by those who are supposed to uphold, defend and protect these constitutional rights. We would like to call upon the Department of Education specially our Division Superintendent to look into this matter.

Worse than that , government money and resources, most of the time, are being used in the form of assistance, to help and support what is purely religious activities. As a matter of fact, millions of pesos from our government are being expended to buy luxurious cars or SUV's vehicles for bishops and priests in many dioceses around the country. This case has been brought out to the attention of the Office of Ombudsman and even to the Blue Ribbon Committee of the Senate for investigation. This is plain and simple case of graft and corruption, not just on the side of the government but more so on the side of religious people who are supposed to be guardians of morals yet many of them are in the frontline of corruptions. This is the highest level of hypocrisy, dishonesty and immorality on the part of religious leaders who become greedy for gain. I think it is high time for us Filipinos to help and support the philosophy of our President Noy Aquino labeled as “MatuwidnaDaan” so we as a nation can move forward to greatness and blessings. Hope this freedom of religion and freedom of worship and the freedom to exercise thereof shall be protected and uphold as mandated by our Constitution. Should you want to contact, this is my email ad: pastorlitopon@yahoo.com or text 09157112654. SOLI DEO GLORIA!