S.C. hearing on religious endorsements set

Philippines - The Supreme Court Wednesday set an oral argument over the issue of religious groups endorsing political candidates during election season.

In a one-page in banc resolution, the High Tribunal set the oral argument on April 13, at 11 a.m. at the Supreme Court session hall in Baguio City.

The oral argument stems from a case filed by lawyers' group Social Justice Society (SJS) questioning the practice of some religious groups of endorsing candidates during election season. The group said the practice of endorsing candidates by religious groups violates the principle of the separation of church and state.

Named respondents in the case were Mike Velarde, leader of the El Shaddai Catholic charismatic sect, Iglesia ni Cristo executive minister Erano Manalo, Manila Catholic Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, Bro. Eddie Villanueva of the Jesus Is Lord Movement, and Bro. Eli Soriano of the Ang Dating Daan religious organization.

The religious leaders earlier said that endorsements are an exercise of their freedoms of expression and religious belief.