MANILA, Philippines --- The Supreme Court (SC) stopped yesterday the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from implementing its order that directed Bishop Vicente Navarra to remove the “Team Patay/Team Buhay” tarpaulin posted on the wall of the San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City.
In a resolution that contained a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued after its full court session, the SC directed the Comelec to comment in 10 days on Bishop Navarra’s petition.
The SC decided to hold oral arguments on the case starting 2 p.m. on March 19.
Invoking the freedom of expression and the principle of separation of Church and State, Navarra went to the SC to challenge the Comelec’s order.
Through lawyer Ralph Sarmiento, the bishop said the order issued by the poll body is void and unconstitutional.
Printed on an oversized tarpaulin are the names of senatorial candidates grouped in accordance with their votes on the Responsible Parenthood (Reproductive Health) Law of 2012 under Republic Act No. 10354 .
Several petitions have been filed with the SC challenging the constitutionality of RA 10354. All the cases are still pending.
The Catholic Church had vehemently opposed the passage of the bill on reproductive health.
As printed on the tarpaulin, seven senatorial candidates were tagged as members of the “Team Patay” for having voted for the passage of the Reproductive Health Law.
The seven senatorial candidates are Juan Edgardo Angara, Francis Escudero, Loren Legarda, Alan Peter Cayetano, Risa Hontiveros Baraquel, Teddy Casiño, and Jack Enrile.
Also dubbed as “Team Patay” are party-list groups Gabriela, Bayan Muna, Akbayan, and Anak Pawis.
Six senatorial candidates, on the other hand, were called members of “Team Buhay” for having opposed the Reproductive Health Law.
They are candidates Joseph Victor Ejercito Estrada, Antonio Trillanes, Gregorio Honasan, Mitos Magsaysay, Koko Pimentel, and Cynthia Villar.