The Committee on Human Rights chaired by Quezon City Rep. Jesus Suntay, in an online meeting held Wednesday, approved the amended substitute bill that would establish the Magna Carta on Religious Freedom. The bill substituted House Bill 6538 authored by CIBAC Partylist Reps. Eduardo Villanueva and Domingo Rivera; and HB 8469 by Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr.
“The draft Magna Carta on Freedom of Religion is regarded as another landmark legislation of the committee as it is an embodiment of the State’s policy to protect and uphold at all times the fundamental and inalienable right of every person to freely choose and exercise one’s religious belief,” Suntay said. The substitute bill outlines the rights of every individual to religious freedom such as the right to choose a religion or religious group, the right to exercise or express religious beliefs, practices, acts or activities, the right to freedom against discrimination in employment as well as in educational institutions, among others.
The panel also made several amendments on numerous sections of the substitute measure to ensure the intended law is constitutionally valid, reasonable and that it adheres to sound public policy. The panel also deliberated on the substitute bill on Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Bill. The substitute bill presents a new title to include gender identity and gender expression but has yet to be approved by the panel. Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman, however, explained that the inclusion of gender identity and gender expression is imperative in crafting the anti-discrimination bill.
“It is only common sense that we set clearly the grounds for discrimination, otherwise, if the grounds for discrimination are not clearly defined or identified, then we cannot effectively protect all of the groups which we seek to protect,” Roman stressed. The panel will continue deliberation on the bill during the congressional recess.
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