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	[UPDATE] Speaker Mulls Scrapping of Church's Tax Privilege Golez Sees Notion As 'Veiled Threat' By Maila Ager Inquirer February 20, 2008 http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080220-120087/UPDATE-Speaker-mulls-scrapping-of-churchs-tax-privilege MANILA, Philippines -- House Speaker Prospero Nograles on Wednesday said he wants a study on the possible revocation of the tax privileges of religious institutions that engage in politics. Nograles' notion came after the president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, called for a "new brand of people power" as the administration continues to be besieged by charges of corruption, the latest being the national broadband network (NBN) deal scandal. "In other countries like America, I am informed that once the church enters the political arena, they are stripped of their tax privileges," Nograles said in a text message Wednesday. "But here in the Philippines, this is not the case. I do not know of any precedent here. Maybe it's worth studying by our political scientists." An opposition congressman immediately called Nograles' idea a "veiled threat" on the religious sector. Parañaque Representative Roilo Golez said any attempt to revoke the tax privileges of religious institutions, even if the targets of the move do engage in political activity, would be an assault on the "principle of separation of church and state enshrined in the Constitution." "It is a veiled threat on all religious organizations, especially considering the vagueness of what constitutes 'politics,' the meaning and interpretation of which can be subject to abuse and capriciousness," Golez said in a text message. "Will endorsing a candidate be considered engaging in politics? What about commenting on Charter change? What about allowing a priest to run for office?" he asked. Golez pointed out that the principle of separation of church and state, as explained by John Locke and, later, by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, is primarily to prevent the state from encroaching in church affairs, not the other way around. "Taxation or the intent to tax is like pointing a gun at the organization to be taxed," he said. "It must be remembered that the threat to unleash the BIR [Bureau of Internal Revenue] on any entity, business or person is a very frightening threat and can exert grave pressure." "That is also the reason why the government cannot appropriate funds to support a religious organization because a carrot, just like a stick, can unduly influence that religious group," he added. The Speaker also played down Lagdameo's call, saying it was not the collective stand of the bishops. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that the CBCP president's call was "a peaceful call, not an armed revolt and he [Lagdameo] insists on following the rule [of law]. It's part of religious freedom of expression." Senior House deputy majority leader Neptali Gonzales Jr., for his part, saw nothing in Lagdameo's statement, so long as this was aimed at stamping out4 corruption and not to oust President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Still, he admitted being "confused" by the CBCP's position, noting that the late Cardinal Sun issued his calls for people power in "no unmistakable terms." "Ngayon, hindi ko talaga maintindihan [Now, I really cannot understand]. The people are more confused than before," Gonzales said. "I think the church should make such [a] call [to people power] clear so the people could react to it intelligently. Because for me, [Lagdameo's statement] was just a general call, more of a symbolic call. As I understand it, it's just a call for moral reform," he said. Nevertheless, Gonzales said he sees no reason for Arroyo to step down as demanded by several sectors, including members of the Catholic church . His view was shared by Manila Representative Bienvenido Abante Jr., a Protestant bishop, who said calls for Arroyo to resign are premature at this point. Abante said he would rather see the President preside over anti-corruption summit and await the results of the Senate and courts' investigations into the NBN deal before deciding whether or not to join calls for Arroyo to step down. The Manila solon is a member of the newly-formed council for moral revolution organized by former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. "I'd be very careful in putting down the presidency through people power," Abante said. "I will not join them if they are going to ask me."
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