Robin Padilla asserts need to protect religious freedom
Published Aug 1, 2023 12:23 pm
Protecting the freedom of religion holds the key to our nation's progress.
Senator Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla stressed this on Tuesday, August 1, as he pointed out that following the teachings of one's faith would lead to true service and good governance.
Committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs chairperson Sen. Robinhood C. Padilla seeks penalties against those who violate the constitutional guarantee for religious freedom on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, during the Committee on Justice and Human Rights' hearing on the proposed Magna Carta on Religious Freedom Act. (Senate PRIB Photo)
At the hearing of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, Padilla said that while the 1987 Constitution decrees the separation of Church and State, there could be no true sense of public service if people do not internalize their faith. "Sana po, isabuhay natin itong paniniwalang ito, pilitin nating isabuhay nating palagi sapagka’t dito mag-uumpisa ang tinatawag nating tunay na serbisyo, ang tunay na good governance, ang tunay na honest-to-goodness na matatawag nating pagseserbisyo sa taumbayan (I hope we live our faith because this is where true service, good governance and public service starts)," he said. "Dahil ang pinakamatindi sa lahat ay ang takot at paggalang sa Diyos. At pag meron tayo niyan, meron tayong paggalang sa isa’t isa. Pag nagkaroon po tayo ng paggalang sa isa’t isa ibig sabihin ang pag-unlad ay susunod na po (Because we have a fear of God, we respect one another. If we have this, progress cannot be far behind)," he added. Padilla noted even the 1987 Constitution begins with a "prayer" where the people seek the aid of God to build a just and humane society. He added Filipinos have had a fear of God even before foreigners came to Philippine shores. During the hearing, Padilla urged Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) representatives to ensure workers' right to practice their religion - such as prayer rooms for Muslims - will be respected and will not be a cause for discrimination. "Nagkakaroon ng discrimination talaga, yan ang nagiging problema. Sana mapalakas ng inyong opisina. Meron tayong proteksyon sa lahat, ang nangyayari lang, napagdiskitahan (There is still discrimination and that is the problem. I hope the DOLE can address this. The law provides protection from discrimination, but it must be enforced)," he said. Padilla, likewise, raised the possibility of penalizing those who would violate the Constitution's provision on religious freedom. "Siguro po yan ang linawin natin. Ano po ang kaparusahan doon sa mga talipandas na di magrerespeto doon sa pananampalataya ng isang tao (What would be the penalty for those who do not respect the right to practice one's religion)?" he asked.
Committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs chairperson Sen. Robinhood C. Padilla seeks penalties against those who violate the constitutional guarantee for religious freedom on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, during the Committee on Justice and Human Rights' hearing on the proposed Magna Carta on Religious Freedom Act. (Senate PRIB Photo)
At the hearing of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, Padilla said that while the 1987 Constitution decrees the separation of Church and State, there could be no true sense of public service if people do not internalize their faith. "Sana po, isabuhay natin itong paniniwalang ito, pilitin nating isabuhay nating palagi sapagka’t dito mag-uumpisa ang tinatawag nating tunay na serbisyo, ang tunay na good governance, ang tunay na honest-to-goodness na matatawag nating pagseserbisyo sa taumbayan (I hope we live our faith because this is where true service, good governance and public service starts)," he said. "Dahil ang pinakamatindi sa lahat ay ang takot at paggalang sa Diyos. At pag meron tayo niyan, meron tayong paggalang sa isa’t isa. Pag nagkaroon po tayo ng paggalang sa isa’t isa ibig sabihin ang pag-unlad ay susunod na po (Because we have a fear of God, we respect one another. If we have this, progress cannot be far behind)," he added. Padilla noted even the 1987 Constitution begins with a "prayer" where the people seek the aid of God to build a just and humane society. He added Filipinos have had a fear of God even before foreigners came to Philippine shores. During the hearing, Padilla urged Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) representatives to ensure workers' right to practice their religion - such as prayer rooms for Muslims - will be respected and will not be a cause for discrimination. "Nagkakaroon ng discrimination talaga, yan ang nagiging problema. Sana mapalakas ng inyong opisina. Meron tayong proteksyon sa lahat, ang nangyayari lang, napagdiskitahan (There is still discrimination and that is the problem. I hope the DOLE can address this. The law provides protection from discrimination, but it must be enforced)," he said. Padilla, likewise, raised the possibility of penalizing those who would violate the Constitution's provision on religious freedom. "Siguro po yan ang linawin natin. Ano po ang kaparusahan doon sa mga talipandas na di magrerespeto doon sa pananampalataya ng isang tao (What would be the penalty for those who do not respect the right to practice one's religion)?" he asked.