NextGen Day

MANILA, Philippines — Catholic priests are not accountable for any election offenses if they advocate a certain candidate in the May national and local elections, according to an election lawyer on Friday.

The prior clause in the Omnibus Election Code prohibiting priests from doing the same, according to lawyer Romulo Macalintal, was abolished by Republic Act 7890, which was passed in 1994.

“It is not illegal for a priest or bishop to campaign for or endorse a candidate in an election.” So, can the church and clergy endorse during the election? The answer is a resounding Yes!” he added in a statement.

The lawyer made this remark during a discussion with priests and clerics at Archbishop Gilbert Garcera’s Archdiocesan Pastoral Discernment On Elections 2022 in Lipa, Batangas, which was attended by 125 priests, religious groups, and parishioners from the province.

He claims that the constitutional article on “separation of church and state” has nothing to do with the freedom of the church and priests to endorse politicians in elections.

“This article simply prohibits the government from providing public monies to any religious organizations, favoring one religious group over others, or recognizing only one religious organization to the exclusion of others,” Macalintal explained.

He exhorted priests and parishioners to hold firm in their belief that the Catholic vote is a powerful force.

Macalintal urged the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting to go beyond its traditional function as poll monitors and actively assist in spreading information to voters about the candidates, particularly their track record and accomplishments.

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