Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 1097

Introduced by Representatives Ron P. Salo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Constitution provides that “No law shall be made respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The free exercise
and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or
preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious test shalll be required for the exercise
of civil or political rights.”

Freedom of religion is one of the basic rights guaranteed by our Constitution,
and was first expressly provided under Section 8 Article IV of the 1973 Constitution. It
embraces two concepts — the freedom to believe which is absolute, and the freedom
to act on one’s belief which is subject to certain regulations in order to protect the
interest and welfare of the general public.

The Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country owing to the fact that this
was the religion established by our Spanish conquistadores. Nonetheless, many sects
denominations, religious groups and organizations have been established over the
years, either by cessation from the Roman Catholic Church, or through the
establishment of missions like in the case of the Church of Christ of Latter-day Saints
and the Protestant churches.

The case of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) can perhaps be considered as the most
successful religious organization founded by a Filipino. The INC is run by dedicated
and visionary leaders who were able to establish a well-organized institution

Unfortunately, not all religious groups or organizations are established for
legitimate purposes, particularly that of propagating their religious beliefs. Some would
represent themselves as religious leaders willing to tend to their flock, yet the real
motive is to use such organizations for their personal motives or gains

Over the years, various religious organizations were established in the country;

yet, there are no clear guidelines for recognizing and certifying the legitimate religious
organizations from those which are not

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It is respectfully noted that recognition and certification carry with them certain
privileges accorded by the State, foremost of which is the performance of acts with
binding and legal effects

It is therefore proposed under this Act that a system for the recognition and
certification of religious organization or groups be established in order to protect the
public from unscrupulous individuals who prey on unsuspecting believers, and to
accord binding and legal effect to their specific acts.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is urgently sought

RON P. SALO
KABAYAN Partylist

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

i 097
House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives Ron P. Salo

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A SYSTEM OF RECOGNITION OF CHURCHES, SECTS,

RELIGIOUS GROUPS OR ORGANIZATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Church Recognition
Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — Freedom of religion is among the
constitutionally-guaranteed rights consisting of the freedom to believe and freedom to
act. The first is absolute, while the second is not. Expression of belief remains subject
to regulation by the State for the protection of the public for an orderly society.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — For the purpose of this Act, the following terms
shall mean:

Bona fide member or members — person or persons who habitually
attends a particular church

b)

Church - a body or organization of religious believers;

°)

Pastor - a spiritual overseer or clergyman, serving a local church or parish

d

Priest - one authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion;

e)

Religion - a particular system of faith and worship;

f) Religious Groups - a set of individuals whose identity as such is distinctive
in terms of common religious creed, beliefs, doctrines, practices, or rituals:

g) Religious Leader - a person who is recognized within a particular religion as
having authority within that body; and

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h) Sect —a subdivision of a larger religious group.

SEC. 4. Registration of Churches, Sects, Religious Groups or
Organizations. — Churches, sects, religious groups or organizations shall comply with
the prescribed procedure for the registration of non-stock and non-profit organizations
of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), subject to the minimum
requirements provided under Section 5 of this Act

SEC. 5. Minimum Requirements. — In addition to the requirements for the
registration of non-stock and non-profit organizations of the SEC, every church, sect.
religious group or organization registering under this Act must:

a) Include as an attachment to its Articles of Incorporation a list of bona fide
members consisting of at least twelve, who are of legal age, but excluding
the priest, pastor, or religious leader of said church, sect, religious group or
organization. The members of the Board of Trustees may themselves be
the members of the church, sect, religious group or organization

b) An Affidavit of at least twelve members stating their personal
circumstances, including

1. The date, or the approximate date when the exact date cannot be
determined with certainty, when they became a member of the church
or religious group seeking registration under this Act; and

2. Their religious affiliation prior to becoming a member of the church or
religious group seeking registration under this Act;

¢) A list of the properties, movables and immovables, already being held by
the church or religious group prior to registration under this Act; and

d) By-laws which shall include among others:
1. The minimum qualification for its priest, pastor, or religious leader,
2. The process for their selection and succession; and

3. The procedures to be observed for the acquisition or sale of church
properties.

SEC. 6. Application and Issuance of Certificate of Recognition for
Churches or Religious Groups — Churches or religious groups which have
registered as non-stock and non-profit organizations with the SEC may apply for a
Certificate of Recognition with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The application
for the issuance of Certificate of Recognition shall be accompanied by the following
requirements:

a) A cettified true copy of the Certificate of Registration issued by the SEC
and

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b) A list of its bona fide members, which must be at least twelve, certified under
oath by the priest, pastor, or religious leader

SEC. 7. Privileges of Registered Church, Sect, Religious Groups or
Organizations. — In addition to existing privileges granted to churches and non-stock
and non-profit organizations under the constitution and under Republic Act No. 8424,
or the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 10963, or
Tax Reform for Inclusion and Acceleration Act, the following additional privileges shall
be granted to churches, sects, religious groups or organization that register under this
Act

a)

Exemption from registration fees imposed by the SEC:

b)

Exemption from the Registration Fee imposed by the Bureau of Internal
Revenue (BIR);

°)

Exemption from Income Tax without the need to secure BIR Ruling
provided that the income is actually, directly, and exclusively used for
religious purposes; and

d)

Exemption from the payment of application fee with the PSA

SEC. 8. Application and Issuance of Certificate of Recognition of the
Priest, Pastor, or Religious Leader. — The priest, pastor, or religious leader of a
recognized church, sect, religious group or organization shall submit an application for
recognition with the PSA as the duly authorized priest, pastor or religious leader of the
aforesaid church, sect, religious group or organization. A priest, pastor or religious
leader cannot be issued such recognition unless he is representing a duly recognized
church, sect, religious group or organization

SEC. 9. Privileges of Recognized Priests, Pastors, or Religious Leaders —
Duly recognized priests, pastors, or religious leaders may apply for authority with the
PSA to conduct the following

a) Solemnize marriage;

b) Administer the sacrament of baptism; or

c) Any other similar sacraments or rites having binding or legal effect

Any priest, pastor, or religious leader conferred with the Certificate of Authority
by the PSA shall enjoy the presumption of regularity in the administration of such
sacrament or rite.

Nonetheless, unregistered priests, pastors, or religious leaders may conduct

such rites or sacraments for ceremonial purposes, but shall have no legal and binding
effect.

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SEC. 10. Reportorial Requirements. — To maintain the status as a duly
recognized church, sect, religious group or organization, the priest, pastor or religious
leader of the aforesaid church, sect, religious group or organization, shall annually
submit a report under oath to the PSA’

a) List of bona fide members; and

b) A list sacraments or rites conferred under the authority given by the PSA

Non-compliance with these reportorial requirements may be used as ground for
the revocation of the Certificate of Recognition issued in favor of the church or religious
group and/or the priest, pastor, or religious leader, as the case may be.

SEC. 11. Exemptions. — The following churches, sects, religious groups or
organizations shall be exempt from the state recognition pursuant to this Act, in
consideration of their long-recognized establishment in the country, or on account of
their broad membership base

a) Ang Dating Daan;

b)

Bible Baptist Church;

©

Church of Christ of Latter-day Saints;

d)

Jehovah's Witnesses;

e)

Jesus is Lord Church;

f) Kingdom of Jesus Christ;

.

Iglesia ni Cristo;
h) Islam;
i) Philippine Independent Church (Aglipay);

j) Roman Catholic Church;

=

‘Seventh Day Adventist;
1) United Methodist Church; and

m) Other churches, sects, religious groups or organizations that the PSA may
deem exempted pursuant to the standards provided in this Act.

SEC. 12. Creation of a Unit within PSA. — A unit shall be created within PSA
to handle ecclesiastical affairs.

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SEC. 13. Provision on Free Exercise of Religion. — in no instance shall the
provisions of this Act be interpreted as a restriction on the free exercise of religion
guaranteed under the Constitution

SEC. 14. Appropriations. — The necessary budgetary allocations to ensure
proper implementation of this law shall be taken from the appropriations of PSA.

SEC. 15. Transitory Provision. ~ All churches, sects, religious groups or
organizations which are already registered with the SEC and PSA shall remain to be
recognized. However, they shall comply with Section 10 of this Act.

SEC. 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The PSA shall issue the
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act, including
rules and regulations on the issuance of Certificate of Authority to the priests, pastors
and religious leaders, within sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act

SEC. 17 Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared invalid
or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain valid

SEC. 18. Repealing Clause. — All acts, executive orders, administrative orders
proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with any of the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly

SEC. 19. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved.

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