Sen. Robin Padilla is seen with his hand gesture while singing the national anthem before President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ 2nd SONA last July 24, 2023. (RTVM / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines— No one has the right to interpret one’s religion.
Senator Robinhood Padilla asserted freedom of faith Tuesday as proposals protecting the right of the people to freedom of religion in the Philippines were tackled during a Senate hearing.
At the hearing, Padilla pointed out the long-established separation of state and church.
“Malinaw po na wala dapat pakialam ang estado sa usapin ng pananampalataya natin. Hangga’t hindi natin yuyurakan ang Saligang Batas ay wala dapat tayong ikinakabahala,” he said.
(It is clear that the state should not meddle in matters of our faith. As long as we do not trample on the Constitution, we should have nothing to worry about.)
“Malinaw naman po yan sa ating Saligang Batas. Sana wag natin pilosopohin kasi may mga kasama po tayo , may mga kababayan tayo pinipilosopo pa. Huwag po natin pilosopohin,” Robin Padilla said.
(That is clear in our Constitution. Let’s not muddle the issue)
“Pananampalataya mo yan, Kristyano ka, ikaw mag-interpret niyan. Muslim ka, interpret mo. Walang sinuman ang may karapatan mag-interpret ng religion mo dahil ang religion mo pananampalataya mo, iyo yan,” Padilla went on.
(That’s your faith. You’re a Christian, you interpret it. You’re a Muslim. Interpret it. No one has the right to interpret your religion because your religion is your faith. It’s yours.)
Padilla recently found himself explaining his faith when some netizens noted his hand gesture while singing the national anthem during the President’s State of the Nation Address last July 24.
He said his hand gesture represents a Kalima—a phrase that Muslims often recite, “La ilaha ilalah,” which means “the oneness of God.”
While expressing his full support for the proposed law, Senator Francis Tolentino questioned the need to involve government agencies to craft the implementing rules and regulations (IRR).
Various government agencies like the Department of Justice, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and the Commission on Human Rights, among others, are tasked to formulate the IRR as provided for under Senate Bill No. 1043 filed by Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva.
Tolentino said Congress should just come up with an “airtight” law that should no longer be subject to interpretations by various government offices.
“Yung gagawin nating batas should self-executing, should be respected as we respect religion as sacred,” said Tolentino, who was presiding over the hearing as chairman of the Senate committee on justice and human rights.