BBL to guarantee freedom to religion
Published Jul 10, 2018 03:23 pm
By Vanne Elaine Terrazola
The Congress bicameral conference committee has approved a provision in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) which guarantees the right of residents in the Bangsamoro region to religion.
Sen. Joel Villanueva
(Senate of the Philippines Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN) Senator Joel Villanueva reported this Tuesday as the bicameral committee resumes its deliberation on the Senate and House versions of the proposed BBL in a hotel in Pasig City. Villanueva, a member of the Senate bicam panel, said his colleagues approved in their 12-hour Monday meeting a provision from the Senate Bill 1717 stipulating the promotion of religious freedom by the Bangsamoro government. Such provision was not present in the House Bill 6475. "The Bangsamoro government shall foster an environment that respects religious freedom and the free exercise thereof pursuant to the tenets if international law, the Constitution, and national statutes and regional government shall protect its citizens from harassment or any undue pressure, coercion and violence on account of religion," read the provision under the Senate-approved BBL's Bill of Rights. It also provides that "all establishments and institution shall be free to implement policies and undertake activities pursuant to their respective religious beliefs and values." Villanueva, who pushed for the inclusion of religious freedom in the Bangsamoro rights, lauded the adoption of the provision as he stressed the importance of exercising freedom of religion in the proposed Bangsamoro government. "We need to be mindful of the fact that people are harassed or subjected to violence because of their choice of beliefs in certain areas of the country," Villanueva said. "Religion plays a big role in shaping the beliefs, backgrounds, and acts of the people living in the area. This is not to mention the fact that the region is multicultural. We have Islam, Christianity, and the dozens of indigenous beliefs in the area," he added. Villanueva is a son of known religious leader and Jesus is Lord founder Bro. Eddie Villanueva.
Sen. Joel Villanueva(Senate of the Philippines Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN) Senator Joel Villanueva reported this Tuesday as the bicameral committee resumes its deliberation on the Senate and House versions of the proposed BBL in a hotel in Pasig City. Villanueva, a member of the Senate bicam panel, said his colleagues approved in their 12-hour Monday meeting a provision from the Senate Bill 1717 stipulating the promotion of religious freedom by the Bangsamoro government. Such provision was not present in the House Bill 6475. "The Bangsamoro government shall foster an environment that respects religious freedom and the free exercise thereof pursuant to the tenets if international law, the Constitution, and national statutes and regional government shall protect its citizens from harassment or any undue pressure, coercion and violence on account of religion," read the provision under the Senate-approved BBL's Bill of Rights. It also provides that "all establishments and institution shall be free to implement policies and undertake activities pursuant to their respective religious beliefs and values." Villanueva, who pushed for the inclusion of religious freedom in the Bangsamoro rights, lauded the adoption of the provision as he stressed the importance of exercising freedom of religion in the proposed Bangsamoro government. "We need to be mindful of the fact that people are harassed or subjected to violence because of their choice of beliefs in certain areas of the country," Villanueva said. "Religion plays a big role in shaping the beliefs, backgrounds, and acts of the people living in the area. This is not to mention the fact that the region is multicultural. We have Islam, Christianity, and the dozens of indigenous beliefs in the area," he added. Villanueva is a son of known religious leader and Jesus is Lord founder Bro. Eddie Villanueva.