I read in Philippine daily inquirer regarding the complaint of
Mr. Renato Peralta to Manila Regional Trial Court for an injunction of
printing and distribution of the INC centennial
post stamp.
Hereunder is
the news published in Philippine daily inquirer dated June28, 2014.
Taxpayer sues PHLPost over Iglesia ni Cristo
postage stamp
MANILA, Philippines—A
taxpayer has taken legal action against the Philippine Postal Corp. or PHLPost
for its issuance of postage stamps marking the 100th founding anniversary of
Iglesia ni Cristo, saying that public funds should not be used to benefit a religious
group.
Renato Peralta of Las
Piñas City filed for injunction last week in the Manila Regional Trial Court to
stop PHLPost, a government-owned corporation, from paying for the printing of
the INC centennial postage stamps and to stop their distribution.
“Coming up with the
commemorative stamp of the INC is tantamount to sponsorship of a religious
activity” which is prohibited by the Constitution, Peralta said.
Reached by the Inquirer
for comment, Peralta said he was a court employee and a member of a Christian
group. He said the issue was the use of public funds when “there is no
legitimate government activity.”
There will be a hearing on
July 4 at Branch 33 of the Manila Regional Trial Court, he said.
The INC will mark its
100th year of registration in the Philippines on July 27. The postage stamp
shows the INC Central Temple and a portrait of the late Felix Manalo, founder
and first executive minister.
PHLPost is set to issue
1.2 million pieces of the INC stamp, more than twice what it usually prints for
a single design, and bigger-sized than regular postage stamps. Postmaster
General Josefina dela Cruz is reported to have said that the issuance of the
commemorative postage stamp passed through certification by the National
Historical Commission of the Philippines.
“The disbursement of
public funds by Philpost for the INC occasion is illegal,” Peralta told the
court. “The postmaster general and all officers involved in the INC
commemorative stamps must be restrained from proceeding with the issuance and
distribution of the stamps all over the country on or before July 27, or
thereafter.”
On May 10, an enlarged
copy of the stamp was presented by Dela Cruz to INC Executive Minister Eduardo
Manalo in a ceremony at the church’s Central Office in Quezon City.
Dela Cruz was former
governor of Bulacan, where the INC has built a large multipurpose arena which
will be unveiled on the centennial anniversary.
INC wields
substantial political influence through its practice of bloc-voting
during elections.
Sought for comment, Dela
Cruz said in a text message, “We stand by our position that the INC
commemorative stamps are not unconstitutional.”
“There has already been a
Supreme Court ruling before pertaining to the issuance of stamps related to
Manila’s hosting of the Eucharistic Assembly. The SC said it wasn’t a violation
of the (separation) of church and state,” she said.
“And INC is not the only
church-related stamps that we have produced. We have issued special stamps for
Pope Francis, Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII, all heads of the Catholic
Church, and there was no negative reaction,” Dela Cruz added.
Is
this a violation in Article 3 section 5 of 1987 Philippine Constitution?
Which
stated this:
No law shall be made
respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship,
without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious
test shall be required for the exercise of civil or political rights.
In
my point of view distribution of INC centennial postal stamp is not
unconstitutional just like some other people say specially Renato Peralta.
Even
Malacañang doesn’t see anything unconstitutional with this matter.
My
questions are these:
When
Philpost issued commemorative stamp of Pope John Paul II, Pope Francis and Pope
John XXIII, did we hear any reaction from them?
The
Iglesia Filipina Independiente diamond jubilee year stamp is that
unconstitutional?
Is
this the first time did the PHILpost issued a stamp that shown religious
celebration?
