Push Admin

Constitution does not bar Church from giving political opinions: charter framer

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/03/13/20200131-coronavirus-quiapo-manila-jc-2375.jpg"/><figcaption>Catholic devotees wear surgical masks as they attend the Friday mass at the Quiapo church in Manila on January 31, 2020. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File Photo</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA - The Philippine Constitution does not prohibit priests and bishops from commenting on political issues, one of the framers of the charter said Monday, after a Palace official slammed the Roman Catholic Church for issuing a letter critical of the Duterte administration.&quot;Freedom of expression is absolute&quot; under the Philippine Constitution, said Christian Monsod, one of the framers of the 1987 charter.&quot;It is very clear that priests and bishops, as citizens of the country, have the right to freedom of speech,&quot; Monsod said in the same press conference.&quot;If he (Panelo) is saying that Constitution prohibits citizens from commenting against the government, then he is totally wrong,&quot; he said.Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo earlier accused Roman Catholic leaders of violating the separation of the Church and the State clause after the Catholic Bishops&#x27; Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) denounced the government&#x27;s &quot;pattern of intimidation&quot; during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/19/20/cbcp-denounces-pattern-of-intimidation-as-anti-terror-law-takes-effect">CBCP denounces &#x27;pattern of intimidation&#x27; as anti-terror law takes effect</a></li></ul>Under Article II Section 6 of the 1987 Constitution, the &quot;separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.&quot;Under the charter, the State is prohibited from enacting laws that would bar the &quot;establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.&quot;&quot;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,&quot; the Constitution read.&quot;Freedom of speech is absolute in our constitution. There can be no prior restraint on the freedom of speech,&quot; Monsod said.&quot;Even [Church officials] running for public office is not against the law,&quot; he said.Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo challenged Panelo to file cases against Church leaders to prove that the Catholic Church has violated constitutional provisions by issuing letters critical of the government.&quot;Hahamunin namin sila... Kung it violates [the Constitution], sila na ngayon ang magkaso sa amin,&quot; he said.(We will challenge them... If it violates the Constitution, they should file cases against us.)

The Philippine Constitution does not prohibit priests and bishops from commenting on political issues, one of the framers of the charter said Monday, after a Palace official slammed the Roman Catholic Church for issuing a letter critical of the Duterte administration.

The Philippine Constitution does not prohibit priests and bishops from commenting on political issues, one of the framers of the charter said Monday, after a Palace official slammed the Roman Catholic Church for issuing a letter critical of the Duterte administration.

Constitution does not bar Church from giving political opinions: charter framer

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

News

Constitution does not bar Church from giving political opinions: charter framer

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 20, 2020 01:01 PM PHT

Read More:

CBCP

Christian Monsod

Catholic Church

Salvador Panelo

religion

government

separation of Church and State

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.