Celdran to appeal guilty verdict

Carlos Celdran. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Tour guide and Reproductive Health advocate Carlos Celdran will appeal the decision of the Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 4 that found him guilty of offending religious feelings.

“We will appeal the decision,” Celdran’s counsel Marlon Manuel said in a text message. On where they will appeal, he said they will still study their options.

Celdran has been meted with the penalty of 2 months and 21 days of imprisonment to a maximum of one year, one month and 11 days of imprisonment.

“Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code is an antiquated legal provision. Carlos Celdran’s prosecution and conviction under this law is a great injustice, unacceptable in this era where fundamental rights are guaranteed,” Manuel further stated.

Celdran’s case stemmed from the complaint of violation of Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code filed by Monsignor Nestor Cerbo of the Manila Cathedral.

Article 133 punishes those who “in a place devoted to religious worship or during the celebration of any religious ceremony shall perform acts notoriously offensive to the feelings of the faithful.”

On Sept. 30, 2010, Celdran staged a protest, where, dressed as the Filipino national hero Jose Rizal, he shouted inside Manila Cathedral that the church should stop meddling in government affairs while holding a “Damaso” sign referring to “Padre Damaso,” the antagonist priest in Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere.