Voting and religion: Criminalizing coercion directed at church members by religious leaders

Date of Publication

2018

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Juris Doctor

Subject Categories

Election Law

College

College of Law

Thesis Adviser

Antonio G.M. Laviña

Defense Panel Chair

Victoria V. Loanzon

Defense Panel Member

Julius M. Lotilla
Jack Andrew Miranda

Abstract/Summary

The right to vote is granted by the Constitution to citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law. Also, the Philippine Constitution provides that the Congress shall provide a system for securing the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot. On the other hand, the Philippines is known for being a religious country. Bloc or command voting is a system of voting wherein a group of people cast all their votes to one particular candidate, and the decision is solely based on that of the leader of such religious group. All its members would then have to follow whomever their leader chooses. The proponents examined on whether the practice of bloc or command voting of religious groups such as the Iglesia Ni Cristo and El Shaddai movement is a violation of Article 286 of the Revised Penal Code, as Revised by Republic Act No. 7890. Local and foreign jurisprudence, legal concepts, and religious doctrines were utilized and examined. The proponents conclude that the act of religious groups in compelling its members to vote for or against certain candidate/s constitutes grave coercion under Article 286 of the Revised Penal Code. Specifically, the acts of the Iglesia Ni Cristo clearly falls under such article.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Accession Number

CDTG007211

Shelf Location

Archives, The Learning Commons, 12F Henry Sy, Sr. Hall

Physical Description

1 computer optical disc, 4 3/4 in.

Keywords

Voting—Religious aspects; Elections—Philippines; Election law—Philippines

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Embargo Period

8-14-2024

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