Senatorial candidate Greco Belgica. Contributed photo
MANILA, Philippines — Senatorial candidate Greco Belgica urged the government to strictly implement the separation of church and state by removing government regulations when it comes to religious affairs.
In a Facebook live video, Belgica, who is also a pastor, found it improper for the government to require churches to be registered.
He also scored the government for demanding religious leaders to secure authorization before being able to officiate religious ceremonies, such as marriages and baptism.
“Walang Roman Catholic church na nakarehistro pero all other churches, kasama ang Christian churches, Iglesia ni Cristo, lahat, nakarehistro sa gobyerno. Hindi po tama ‘yon,” he said.
“Paano nagkaroon ng authority ang gobyerno o ang pamahalaang sibil sa simbahan, eh wala pa pong Republic of the Philippines, meron na pong simbahan ang Panginoong Hesukristo?” he
Belgica said he will push for the easing and removal of regulations for religious affairs should he win a Senate seat in the May 2022 elections.
“Ito po and mensaheng ipinapadala ko sa mga ministro ng Diyos: our authority to practice our religion and God-ordained laws, tulad ng pagpapakasal, is an authority given to us by Jesus Christ himself, by God himself, from the Holy Bible, from the Word of God, and not from the civil government,” he said.
“’Yan po ay encroachment ng government, ng pamahalaang sibil… Hindi po pinapayagan ‘yan sa banal na kasulatan. Papalayain natin ang simbahan, itatama natin ‘yan. ‘Yan po ay kabastusan sa simbahan at sa Diyos mismo, pagpapahirap po ‘yan.”
Belgica, who served as chairman of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) from 2018 to 2021, also scored candidates who seek the support and endorsement of churches during elections while ignoring its plights after they have been elected to their coveted positions.