Padre Damaso’s revenge

As they say in the bullfights: “Sometimes the Bull wins.” In the case or sentencing of Carlos Celdran, it’s a case of “How can something so right be so wrong?” or better yet: “Just because you believe in something so much does not necessarily make it true.”

After an RTC Judge sentenced Carlos Celdran to a one-year imprisonment for the crime of “Offending Religious Feelings,” now comes a deluge of attacks and harsh criticisms of the judgment, the Catholic Church and how the whole thing could be the beginning of the end for democracy. As “the Lady doth protest too much,” so do many people tend to exaggerate.

Whether we agree or disagree with the outcome, what cannot be denied is there is such a law against offending religious feelings. It is a law intended to protect as well as to keep people in check from making inflammatory speeches or attacks against religious sentiments. This is not some church sponsored law intended to cast fear or give punishment to critics and Protestants, but is designed to protect all religions and faith.

That so-called draconian law is intended to be the equivalent of a legal fire extinguisher against radical elements and anarchists who have no problems starting riots, church burning, lynching etc. The little known Pastor in the US who threatened to burn the Koran is an example. Muslim extremists are another. Each individual may be thinking freedom of expression, but forgetting about repercussion and reprisal, or they could intentionally spark the flames of hatred. Such a law allows the state to move in immediately if need be to show that such disrespect and provocation will not be tolerated.

Just because Catholics and Christians in the Philippines regularly “turn the other cheek” when people mock God and Jesus Christ, this does not mean that extremists, fanatics or zealots belonging to cults will do the same. There are people out there who will draw blood in the name of their Supreme Leader. 

While I agree with Celdran in supporting the RH bill, it is totally erroneous and clearly misleading for some groups to claim that Celdran’s conviction is about the RH bill or an attack on freedom of expression. Carlos Celdran stood up for what he believed in, chose a way of signifying his protest and may have miscalculated the outcome of his protest. He was not arrested and charged for being pro-RH, he was thrown in jail for disrupting if not scandalizing a church service, which according to news reports, he admitted doing when the priests ignored his presence and his placard. He was even quoted as saying it “was worth it” (being arrested and momentarily jailed).

Most of us assumed that he would get a fine, a slap on the wrist after issuing a public apology, which ended up becoming a public admission of guilt. What many of us did not know was that there is such a law against “offending religious feelings” and that you could get a year in jail for it. I still think that Celdran will ultimately get a slap on the wrist assuming he has no prior criminal record because he is a productive member of society and a first time offender. He might get a suspended sentence, but he will end up with a “record.”

In the end Carlos Celdran is refreshing because he took a stand and did something about it. For that he deserves praise. On the other hand he now serves as a modern day reminder for the rest of us to first study the consequences and properly plan our actions. I hope the court would simply make him do community service such as picking litter around the Intramuros that he loves so much.

As for the rest of us, it would do well to also study issues better, understand the consequences and carefully consider the position we take, because as this story teaches us, you can carry on believing you’re so right only to discover that you are so wrong.

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Another “so right but so wrong” story involves the Quezon City government which has reportedly “confiscated” or taken ownership of “open spaces” inside private villages that have not paid taxes on them. Normally, homeowners buy their property, form associations and pay for their real estate taxes. Everyone simply assumes that “open spaces” such as parks, playgrounds and walkways are not subject to real estate taxes because they’re for “public use” and are for free.

Well the Quezon City government apparently is not content with just collecting real estate taxes or else, they also want associations or residents to cough up the tax money for open spaces. In one particular case, the association and the residents had no means to pay, so the Quezon City government declared their open spaces as “Sold to the City.”

Overnight, they lost their multi-purpose hall, their mini park etc. Unfortunately, what some geniuses in QC City hall may have forgotten is that they are not in the real estate business and selling those open spaces to outside buyers could create even more protests. What they also may have overlooked is that taking ownership of such lands will then require City hall to maintain or develop such properties in accordance with the community’s standards since they are active taxpayers.

This is a case of “biting your nose to spite your face.” City hall owns the land but to what advantage. Now they have to make sure the grass is cut regularly or they will be reported to media. City hall has to maintain the appearance, sanitation and safety of buildings and structures in these open spaces, because any accident occurring as a result of city hall’s neglect will result in lawsuits, cases at the Ombudsman and stories coming out on TV, radio and print.

Obviously, some people at the Quezon City hall also forgot that such confiscations particularly in middle class villages would have serious election related repercussions. I’ve come across two families who are now actively campaigning against all sitting officials of Quezon City for depriving them of their playgrounds, parks and meeting halls. I’ve tried to explain that it’s an ordinance that was before Mayor Bistek’s time, but people who are deprived of their lifestyle are understandably pissed and deaf.

Someone once said, the business of government is to stay out of business. In Quezon City, it should be taxation and not confiscation! There should also be a law or a Presidential decree declaring such open spaces as TAX FREE!