A veteran lawmaker is seeking the creation of a system that would facilitate the registration and recognition of churches, sects and religious groups in the Philippines.

Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo has filed House Bill (HB) No. 11477 or the Church Recognition Act, with the aim to provide a legal framework to ensure that religious organizations operating in the country are duly registered and recognized while preserving religious freedom.

He says that while the freedom to believe is absolute, the freedom to act on one's religious beliefs is subject to reasonable regulations as a way to protect public safety, prevent fraud, and maintain civil order.

"Faith is deeply ingrained in the lives of Filipinos, but it is equally important to safeguard the integrity of religious organizations and protect the public from fraudulent groups that take advantage of people's beliefs," Salo said.

Over the years, various religious organizations have been established in the country.

Yet, Salo says there are no clear guidelines for recognizing and certifying legitimate religious organizations in order to distinguish them from bogus ones.

While many religious groups serve their communities with sincerity, some falsely present themselves as spiritual leaders while exploiting the faith of their followers for financial or personal benefit, he added.

For Salo, the lack of regulation leads to the exploitation of religious institutions, where unscrupulous individuals have taken advantage of people's trust and generosity under the guise of religious leadership.

It is crucial to ensure that the recognition and certification which carry certain privileges accorded by the State, foremost of which is the performance of acts with binding and legal effects, are not abused, he added.

The measure seeks to address various issues by establishing a system for the registration and certification of religious organizations. Under the proposed measure, only duly recognized religious groups will be accorded legal status, ensuring that organizations granted privileges by the State are legitimate and accountable.

It also mandates that churches, sects, or religious organizations must register as non-stock, non-profit organizations with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and subsequently obtain a Certificate of Recognition from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

"Religious organizations hold immense influence in society, shaping values and guiding communities. Ensuring their legitimacy through proper recognition safeguards both the faithful from exploitation and the sanctity of religious leadership," Salo said.

"With the Church Recognition Act, we aim to strike a balance between upholding religious freedom and ensuring accountability among religious organizations. By fostering transparency, we safeguard the faith of Filipinos and protect the integrity of religious institutions," he added.