‘Team Patay’ poster violates rules

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec), through Comelec lawyer Mavil M. Sia, said that the Catholic Church violated the agency’s provision on displaying of posters bearing its advocacy on reproductive health (RH) issue.

A huge tarpaulin was displayed at the San Sebastian Cathedral, Bacolod City bearing the names of senatorial candidates who were classified either as “Team Patay” or anti-life (those who voted in favor of the RH law) or as “Team Buhay” or pro-life (those who voted against the bill).

Sia, however, said the violation was only on the size of the poster.

Some senatorial candidates have reacted upon seeing their names under the Team Patay, but still respect the position of the church.

Msgr. Felix Pasquin, Rector of the San Sebastian Cathedral, said that they will consider the reminder of the Comelec to change the size of the poster, but did not agree on the classification by Comelec that such poster is considered as campaign material.

It was only a consequence of a major campaign against the RH law, Pasquin added. The Church came out with the said list, because it has a moral obligation to teach and guide its people on certain issues, he said.

Despite the campaign of the Church against the RH bill, the Congress -- House of Representatives and the Senate -- passed it into law.

Pasquin said the Catholic Church continues to bring the matter to the pulpit by conducting a forum on RH law every Saturday morning and afternoon, adding that he invites everyone, including those in the Team Patay, to participate in the forum wherein they tackle issues that attack God's teaching on life, marriage and family.

The poster will continue to be placed at the facade of the church, but they will reduce the size according to Comelec, he said.