Representatives from the Seventh-day Adventist Church attended a Senate Hearing on the proposed "Magna Carta on Religious Freedom Act," which seeks to defend the people's right to religious freedom in the Philippines, as provided by Section 5, Article III of the 1987 Constitution, on August 1, 2023. Evin Villaruben, assistant treasurer and corporate secretary of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, and Atty. Gizelle Lou Cabahug-Fugoso, in her capacity as Legal Counsel, is representing the Adventist Church.
The law is significant and concerning to the Seventh-day Adventist Church's Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) Department. Religious freedom is a major part of Adventist views since it defends the idea of liberty of conscience and free expression of faith for all individuals. Such freedom should not be denied, burdened, regulated, or restricted unless it causes violence, hurt, or danger to others or infringes on their own religious rights. The measure's goal of protecting public safety, order, health, property, and morals is consistent with the church's commitment to responsible citizenship and social responsibility.
Atty. Cabahug-Fugoso expressed concerns about the challenges Seventh-Day Adventist Church members have in balancing their education and job obligations. The major issue stems from a clash between the Adventist day of worship, Saturday, and their mandatory attendance of classes or work on said day. Atty. Cabahug-Fugoso emphasized the case of Denmark Valmores, an Adventist medical student, where the Supreme Court ruled that requiring a student to choose between honoring his religious obligations and finishing his education is a patent infringement of his religious freedoms.
Villaruben urged the government to maintain the autonomy of religious institutions in matters of religion and worship. The church, together with other religious faiths, wishes to add a proviso in the proposed Section 13 of the House Bill, to wit; The State shall protect and promote the right of a person to equal opportunity and treatment, and non-discrimination in employment, by virtue of one’s religious affiliation or belief. Provided that religious institutions that are founded on religious beliefs or tenets shall be entitled to their hiring standards or codes of behavior pursuant to their religious beliefs and disciplines.
The Adventist Church has been proactive in creating beneficial collaborations with the government, in keeping with the goals of good governance and openness. And the church will continue to support and adhere to the government's aims and activities as long as they are consistent with biblical ideals.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Labor affirmed their commitment in upholding religious liberty in educational and employment contexts.
PARL is part of the Adventist Church's global effort to establish favorable conditions for sharing the good news of freedom and inviting all to loving fellowship with God and fellow human beings. Furthermore, PARL works proactively and tirelessly to erase preconceptions against the Adventist Church—its identity, message, and mission—by interacting with people and offering distinct Adventist views through nonviolent persuasion. Essentially, PARL aims to elevate the Seventh-day Adventist Church and its services to a position of public credibility, trust, and relevance.
While the proposed measure is an important step toward guaranteeing religious freedom in the Philippines, it will require careful review and discussion to strike a balance between protecting individual rights and preserving the separation of church and state.
The church fully supports the proposed measure and wishes to thank the authors as well as the leadership of the Senate of the Philippines and the House of Representatives.
The original version of this story was posted on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division website.