The Separation of the Church and State in the Philippines: A Fiction Based on Real Historical Events

During the time of Jesus, the Pharisees wanted to trap Jesus by His words. They asked whether the Jews should pay taxes to Imperial Rome or not?

Jesus replied, "So give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

The response of Jesus laid the foundation for the separation between the Church and the State.

More than 2,000 years later, in the Philippines, a predominantly Christian country, all the presidential candidates raised their hands during the CNN-sponsored debate when asked if they favor securing an endorsement from different religious denominations. Equally, all major religious organizations prefer a candidate and explicitly endorse them proudly to their flocks. They exclaimed, "Vox Populi, Vox Dei," the voice of the people is the voice of God." Since their members are the people of God and God spoke through them; hence, God favored their anointed candidate. Comparable to the political culture of other democratic Christian countries, religious leaders refrained from endorsing political parties and candidates, thus, only in the Philippines.

Many may remark that it is not a big deal. More than 30 years ago, Cardinal Sin, through the Radio Veritas, called for the people to protect the former Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile and the Chief of the Philippine Constabulary General Fidel Ramos. They masterminded the coup d eta against the incumbent and holed up in Camp Crame. President Marcos was ready to bomb and level the military headquarters. At the same time, the Sisters of Carmelite in Cebu provided sanctuary to President Corazon Aquino. They may claim that the Church has become partisan in the political process of the country from then on.

Compared to the event 300 years ago, the active participation of prelates in politics led to assassination and murder. The imprisonment of Archbishop Dela Cuesta and the overlapping interest between the Friars and the Governor-General in the Philippines shaped the foundation of the relationship between the Church and State. The event became remarkable with Governor-General Bustamante's assassination and the murder of his son at the hands of the angry friars. These friars from the Oder of Augustinians, Dominicans, and Franciscans sieged the Governor's Palace and succeeded in disarming the guards, and proceeded to liberate the Archbishop.

The conflict between Archbishop Dela Cuesta and Governor Bustamante arose when the Archbishop openly accused and tried to arrest an official Bustamante was protecting for corruption. The Governor proceeded and detained the Archbishop in Fort Santiago. Imagine PRRD incarcerating Cardinal Tagle in the National Penitentiary for siding and defending Senator Delima.

The Archbishop claimed immunity that the Governor counteracted with strong measures implicating Dela Cuesta as a protector of individuals charged with heinous crimes. Bustamante appealed to the Archbishop to surrender to the civil authorities the accused men, but the Archbishop refused to claim the immunity of sanctuary. Moreover, information reached the Governor that a citizen movement was initiated sympathetic to the cause of the Archbishop and the Friars even solicited financial aid from the Chinese against him.

Before the open confrontation, Bustamante ordered the release of his predecessor, Governor Torralba, accused of mishandling P700,000 government funds and appointing him as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The decision set the two on a collision course because the Archbishop vehemently opposed the appointment. The Archbishop did not waste any time and excommunicated Torralba and attempted to arrest the Chief Justice. Envision, PRRD after appointing a new Chief Justice de Castro and Cardinal Tagle sending people to reinstate the ousted Chief Justice Sereno because he opposed the decision of the court. The new Chief Justice, armed with sword and shield, expelled the Archbishop's men and issued a warrant of arrest against them. These men seek asylum inside the Archbishop's residence, insulted, and laughed at the magistrates. While under the protection of the Church, these refugees armed themselves and prepared to start a rebellion. Even when the Archbishop was informed of these violations, he maintained their immunity. The Governor was forced to have the Archbishop arrested and incarcerated in Fort Santiago with all ecclesiastics who conspired against the government

Consequently, an open riot started, and several priests marched to the Palace, gathering a mob and citizens on the way. The priest from the various religious orders in the country marched and shouted, "Long Live the Church." The excited horde marched to the Palace and succeeded in breaking the door. The Governor met them and ordered the rabble to disperse. Seeing no escape from the mob clamoring for his destruction, the Governor raised his pistol, but the gun misfired. Angered, the crowd attacked the Governor, who defended himself with a bayonet. Overwhelmed, he was dragged, stabbed, and thrown inside a common jail, and eventually died of his wounds

News reached the Governor's son, who rode at a breakneck speed but was run through by a rebel and was thrown to the ground. Unfazed, he stood up and attempted to cut his way through the enraged rioters but was soon overpowered, killed, and mutilated.

The clerical party instigated the people to liberate the Archbishop. The rabble rammed the prison doors and released the prisoners, including the Archbishop. The prelate triumphantly assumed the Governorship. During the course of the event, the mob destroyed the Royal Standard and maltreated the loyal friends of the Governor. A pretended investigation of the riot was initiated, which led to the arrest of some scapegoats. The Archbishop holds the Governorship for nine years.

If we look back at the events that occurred 300 years ago, the current excitement of the religious organization to actively participate by explicitly endorsing a political candidate is comparably a mild event. The principle of the ideal separation between the Church and State did not take roots in the Philippines. During those days, it appears permissible for the Church to overturn the government's decision and the ecclesiastical power to take control. Some may say it was an isolated event. Next time, let us discuss the GOMBURZA, the three martyred priests who ignited the Philippine Revolution in 1896.