The House Committee on Human Rights approved Wednesday a potential landmark measure that seeks to institutionalize religious freedom for Filipinos.

The House panel approved the substitute bill on House Bill (HB) No.6538, or the proposed Act protecting the right of the people to freedom of religion in the Philippines guaranteed under Section 5, Article 3 of the 1987 Constitution.

Jesus is Lord Church founder, Deputy Speaker Eduardo "Bro. Eddie" Villanueva, penned the measure, which carried the short title, "Magna Carta of Religious Freedom."

Section 5, Article 3 of the Charter states that: "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."

Villanueva, in his sponsorship speech before the panel, pointed out that a comprehensive enabling law that seeks to flesh out this constitutional guarantee has yet to be passed in Congress.

"Your honor, I'm talking about a legislation that promotes free market of ideas for all faith communities to be able to promulgate their religious beliefs and healthy practices in a violence and menace-free environment. This bill otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Religious Freedom seeks to do just that by identifying religious freedom rights, and providing prohibitions against the curtailing of such rights," said the solon representing CIBAC party-list.

"This is also a recognition of the tension that exists in religious freedom in the world. In a report by the think-tank PEW Research Center in 2019 showed that the harassment of religious groups and persons continue to be reported in more than 90 percent of countries, including the Philippines," he said.

Villanueva notes that harassment ranging from actions such as verbal abuse to physical violence and killings have been documented. "This must not be the case."

The bill identifies the following as rights to religious freedom: The right to choose a religion or religious community, the right to profess religious belief and practice religious acts, the right to propagate religious beliefs, the right to disseminate religious publications, the right to organizational independence, the right to freedom against discrimination in employment, and the right to tax exemption.

Based on the original bill filed, any person or corporation who violates the religious freedom rights shall be slapped with the penalties for the first violation, a fine of not less than P50,000 but not exceeding P100,000, or imprisonment of not less than six months but not more than two years, or both at the court's discretion; and for any subsequent violation, a fine of not less than P100,000 but not exceeding P200,000, or imprisonment of not less than six months but not more than two years, or both at the court's discretion.

"To strike a balance, this bill also recognizes the limitations on each free exercise which applies on any act that threatens safety, order, property, and morals; inflicts danger to individuals and groups or infringes on limitations already prescribed by existing laws, such as prohibitions on same-sex marriage and the like," Villanueva said.

Revision of Laws panel chairperson Zambales Rep. Cheryl Deloso-Montalla moved for the approval of the "landmark" substitute measure after a 50-minute discussion of its provisions. She said that everyone present concerned with the bill's contents.

Human Rights panel chairman, Quezon City Rep. Bong Suntay, subsequently carried the motion.