Comelec raises diocese’s big tarp to SC

MANILA—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Diocese of Bacolod are set to square off in the Supreme Court (SC) over the oversized “Team Buhay/Team Patay” tarpaulin hanging outside the San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City.

Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra on Friday filed a petition for a temporary restraining order and injunction asking the SC to stop the Comelec from ordering the diocese to remove a tarpaulin listing senatorial candidates who are for and against the controversial reproductive health (RH) law.

Right

Navarra argued in the petition that the Church was merely invoking its right to freedom of expression.

But Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said on his Twitter account that freedom of speech and expression must be made within the bounds of law. “Existing laws set the maximum size allowed for posters,” he said.

He added the “Team Buhay/Patay” tarpaulin is an election propaganda and its size exceeds the maximum limit imposed by law. The tarpaulin measures 6 ft. by 10 ft. while the allowable size is only 2 ft. by 3 ft.

“We are not being unreasonable—we quietly met and pleaded with the Diocese for its removal, sent them two notices, which were both disregarded. I’m saddened by the defiance of the local diocese as the Catholic Church is a trusted and long-time partner in securing orderly elections,” Brillantes said.

Comelec, meantime, welcomes the petition filed by Navarra, he said.

“I maintain that election laws including those governing campaign apply to all citizens regardless of faith or persuasion, even the Church. We will commence the proceedings next week for the filing of election offense cases to whoever is behind this, unless restrained by the SC,” the Comelec chairman said.

Team

The so-called “Team Patay” includes senatorial candidates who are in favor of the RH law. They are Sonny Angara, Teddy Casiño, Jack Enrile, Alan Pe- ter Cayetano, Francis Escudero, Loren Legarda, Risa Hontiveros. Also included are the party-list groups Gabriela, Akbayan, Bayan Muna, and Anakpawis.

One the other hand, those included in the “Team Buhay” list are JV Ejercito, Mitos Magsaysay (Zambales), Gringo Honasan, Aquilino Pimentel III, Antonio Trillanes IV, and Cynthia Villar. Party-list groups Buhay and Ang Pamilya are also included in the list.

The Catholic Church has strongly opposed the RH bill since its inception.