THE Palace and the Department of Justice should respect the independence of the Iglesia Ni Cristo as a religious institution and stop interfering in it, Vice President Jejomar Binay said Monday.
“The issue that the Iglesia is facing right now is internal. Malacañang and the DOJ should refrain from making any statements and respect INC’s religious freedom,” Binay said.
“As public officials, it is our duty to respect the internal affairs and concerns of the INC and allow them, without the unwarranted interference from government, to conduct their own business in accordance with their religious beliefs. No less than our Constitution guarantees this inviolable separation of church and state.”
Binay on Monday also said he will not attend the Senate Blue Ribbon Subcommittee hearing on Aug. 20, which would mark the first anniversary of its probe against him.
Binay said the hearing had become a “politicized forum whose sole purpose is to make wild accusations and false statements” against the Binay family.
“This Senate hearing is one for the Guinness Book of World Records,” Binay said.
“Did they find any concrete evidence against me? The investigation is in aid of legislation but these were all false accusations and lies.”
Binay said Justice Secretary Leila De Lima’s attitude toward the INC issue appeared similar to the “policy of demolition by perception that your office has been doing to my own person.”
“For the sake of upholding our Constitution, as well as protecting the integrity and good name of the INC as a religious community, I urge you to refrain from uttering baseless, if not reckless and irresponsible, statements that would tend to harm the religious institution of the INC,” Binay said.
“Instead of meddling with Iglesia’s affairs, government should focus more on pressing matters such as poverty alleviation and addressing the MRT problem. It would do well for the Palace and justice officials to deal with what’s on their plate first before they interfere with others.”
Earlier, Malacañang said the DOJ may continue to investigate the alleged abductions of INC ministers even after the National Bureau of Investigation declared the case “closed.”