Iglesia vs De Lima: Palace calls for fairness

MANILA, Philippines - The government has shown fairness in dealing with the issues being raised by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) against Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, even as it warned some sectors against exploiting the situation and blowing it out of proportion.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said President Aquino’s main concern was to ensure public order and safety while INC members were being given the opportunity to stage protest actions against what they claimed was De Lima’s interference in their religion’s internal affairs.

“We have been monitoring the situation closely...The President’s instructions were to ensure the safety of the public – not just those who are involved in the protest but, more importantly, those who are uninvolved in the protest; meaning, the greater population who pass through that entire thoroughfare,” Valte said over dzRB, referring to the main highway EDSA.

“The President mentioned specifically that government should ensure...that there are no opportunities for those who may want to take advantage of the situation for their personal end,” she said.

INC members decided to stage protest actions after an expelled minister, Isaias Samson Jr., filed an illegal detention case against eight leaders of the religious organization. They said instead of considering it an internal matter within INC given the separation of church and state, De Lima decided to look into the matter.

But Valte said there was no DOJ action yet on the case filed by Samson and that amid calls for the secretary to resign, she pointed out the secretary was just doing her job.

Valte said she did not have information on whether De Lima would have a face-to-face dialogue with the INC.

“Secretary De Lima has also been trying to do that because she’s been having interviews,” she said, referring to any initiative on the part of De Lima to reach out to the INC.

Valte also expressed confidence De Lima could handle the matter.

“You know, Secretary De Lima has established herself as one who does her job, and also, I think let us look at the position of Secretary De Lima in previous cases and who were involved...and we can see the direction she will be taking,” Valte said.

Asked if De Lima should consider taking a leave because of the situation and her supposed plan to run for senator, Valte said, “We would leave it up to her because she also knows when the time (to step down) is. I think she’s also aware. She also has a timetable in her head.”

No exemption

Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said it believes no individual or organization is exempt from investigations on alleged violations of the laws of the land despite the doctrine on the separation of church and state.

CHR Chairman Chito Gascon yesterday said the full exercise of human rights entails securing for everyone a system of rule of law.

“This necessitates the exhaustion of all lawful investigations and procedures to uphold both the rights of the people and that all laws for public welfare are not violated,” he said.

“To be able to guarantee this, any person or institution under our constitutional system cannot place themselves above or beyond the reach of law,” he added.

He stressed that separation of church and state is not an issue in the ongoing protest of INC members against De Lima.

“This is a matter involving the proper exercise of powers by the justice department involving an investigation of a case that may involve violation of law that exempts no one,” he said.

Gascon said the doctrine of separation stipulates that the state does not favor any particular religion and that every person is able to believe and practice his faith.

“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,” he said, quoting Sec. 5 Article III of the Constitution.

Sought for comment on the on-going protests on EDSA, Gascon said every person has the right to exercise freedom to peacefully assemble to redress grievance.

He noted, however, that this should be exercised in a way that would not trample on the rights of other people.

“It is also a basic civic duty of every person in a civil society to exercise their rights to the extent that they do not impinge upon rights of others,” he said.

An ABS-CBN cameraman was attacked by an unidentified protester – believed to be an INC member – while he was taking video footage of protesters near the EDSA Shrine last Friday. – With Janvic Mateo