G.R. No. 45459
March 13, 1937
Facts
The Director of Posts issued postage stamps commemorating the celebration of the Thirty- third International Eucharistic Congress, organized by the Roman Catholic Church. Petitioner opposed it on the grounds that it violates the constitutional provision that no public property or money shall be used for the benefit of a sect or a church.
Respondent Director of Posts issued the postage stamps in question under the provisions of Act. No. 4052. The Act appropriate an amount for the cost of plates and printing of postage stamps with new designs and other expenses incident thereto, and authorizes the Director of Posts, with the approval of the Secretary of Public Works and Communications, to dispose of the amount appropriated in the manner indicated and “as often as may be deemed advantageous to the Government”.
Issue
Whether or not the action of the Director of Posts runs counter to the constitutional prohibition against non-establishment of religion.
Held
No. It should be stated that what is guaranteed by our Constitution is religious liberty, not mere religious toleration. Religious freedom, however, as a constitutional mandate is not inhibition of profound reverence for religion and is not a denial of its influence in human affairs.
Act No. 4052 contemplates no religious purpose in view. The Director of Posts and the Secretary of Public Works and Communications was NOT inspired by any sectarian feeling to favor a particular church or religious denominations. The stamps were not issued and sold for the benefit of the Roman Catholic Church. Nor were money derived from the sale of the stamps given to that church.
The stamp in itself is intended to advertise the Philippines and attract more tourist in the Philippines. What is emphasized is not the Eucharistic Congress itself but Manila, the capital of the Philippines, as the seat of that congress.
While the issuance and sale of the stamps in question may be said to be inseparably linked with an event of a religious character, the resulting propaganda, if any, received by the Roman Catholic Church, was not the aim and purpose of the Government.
Government should not be embarrassed in its activities simply because of incidental results, more or less religious in character, if the purpose had in view is one which could legitimately be undertaken by appropriate legislation. The main purpose should not be frustrated by its subordination to mere incidental results not contemplate.
The main purpose of the act is to issue stamps and the religious character is only incident thereto. Hence, Act No. 4052 is constitutional.