#TalkThursday: ‘Offending religious feelings’

MANILA, Philippines – “Guilty.”

Prominent tour guide Carlos Celdran tweeted right after a Manila court found him guilty of “offending religious feelings.”

He was charged with violating Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code for disrupting a service at the Manila Cathedral on September 30, 2010. Dressed as the Philippine national hero Jose Rizal, he held up a sign with the word “Damaso,” a reference to the villainous priest in Rizal’s famous novel “Noli Me Tangere.”

In this week’s edition of #TalkThursday, Rappler talks to the outspoken reproductive health advocate who said he is preparing for a “big legal battle” and is ready to take the fight to the Supreme Court.

Celdran believes the issue is directly related to the passage of the Reproductive Health bill. 

In an earlier interview with Rappler he said, “The Church, the meddling that they did with the RH bill is a symbol that the Catholic Church is still trying to wield their power over the State. And this law that has been written shows that religion can wield power even [in the justice system].”

For its part, the Archdiocese of Manila has released a statement saying it did not pursue the case against Celdran.

“The prosecution presented four witnesses, none of whom were from the Archdiocese of Manila,” said the Archdiocese of Manila in their statement. – Rappler.com