Enrile warns of religious groups ‘meddling’ in Senate 07/24/2010

Enrile warns of religious groups ‘meddling’ in Senate

07/24/2010 Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile has expressed alarm over the reported “meddling” of religious sectors in the fight for the Senate presidency, noting the apparent violation being committed by the religious groups on the principle of the separation of powers of Church and State. “That would be an unfortunate situation and I do not know if that is a fact. If that is so, it violates the separation of Church and State. And I would suggest that the members of the Senate who are involved should discourage this because it transgresses the basic principle of our democratic government which is the separation of Church and State. Imagine if the head of the Senate would be installed through the effort of a religious house. I think it should not be affected by the people,” he said. The issue of ensuring checks and balances is not the function of a religious body, Enrile stressed.  “We are conscious of the fact that we are responsible elected senators of the republic. We should be responsible not only for other departments of government. We must be independent from all pressures,” he added. “I am not saying that this is true. I am stating a basic principle of government. What does this mean if there’s a vested group who will decide for the head of government? They’re not even elected by the people. I will stand against that. They’re my friends but I will not allow this to happen. It’s the independence of the institution that will be ruined. institution that will be ruined..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100724hed4.htm

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