Lawmaker withdraws 'ban God' bill

MANILA, Philippines - Rep. Raymond Palatino of the party-list group Kabataan has withdrawn his controversial bill, which seeks to ban religious activities and symbols in government offices.

Palatino said he was offering his “sincere apologies” for any offense the measure has caused.

“We are sad that we hurt the religious sentiments of many, when our desire was to uphold and promote religious sensitivity and harmony,” he said.

He said he was withdrawing House Bill 6330 “in response to the appeal and clamor of some of our members, constituents and supporters, various groups, institutions, and the general public to reconsider the filing of such measure.”

Palatino, who is a Catholic, said he had no intention to “ban God,” suppress any religion or belief and prevent government employees from practicing their faith.

“The purpose of the bill is to ensure that government offices do not favor one religion over the other, or discriminate one against the other,” he added.

HB 6330, “An Act Empowering Heads of Offices and Departments to Strictly Implement the Constitutional Provisions on Religious Freedom in Government Offices,” seeks to ban religious activities including Masses, prayers, Christmas parties, and blessings, and mandates the removal of religious symbols like the crucifix, Bible and Koran in public offices.

Palatino said he filed the bill after receiving many complaints from government employees claiming they are being “forced” by their superiors to attend Mass or other religious activities even during office hours.

He criticized some government offices that stop rendering service to the public during lunch break because their employees have to attend Mass. He said these public offices should assign some personnel to serve the people even if other employees have to attend Mass.

Several Catholic bishops lauded Palatino for withdrawing the bill.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Biblical Apostolate chairman Pampanga Auxiliary Bishop Pablo Virgilio David told Radio Veritas that he praised Palatino for “having the maturity and humility to accept correction and listen to the people he represents.” He said banning the expression of faith in a public space “actually smacks of religious intolerance.”

Incoming San Jose, Nueva Ecija Bishop Roberto Mallari said he is grateful for the development, noting that the bill “is deceiving because we have religious freedom yet they are preventing the expression of religious beliefs.”

Antipolo Auxiliary Bishop Francis de Leon said it would be better if Palatino would just think of crafting good laws.

For Marbel, South Cotabato Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, he believes that while Palatino withdrew the bill, the public should remain vigilant to this kind of thinking. “Satan is always busy,” he said. – With Evelyn Macairan