AGLIPAY VS RUIZ

64 Phil. 201 Political Law Appropriation Religious Sect Religious Freedom

The 33
rd
International Eucharistic Congress organized by the Roman Catholic Church took place
sometime in 1936. In commemoration thereof. then Director of Posts, Juan Ruiz, initiated the
production of certain stamps the design of which would have in their center a chalice, with grape and
stalks of wheat as border design. Eventually, the stamps were produced and some were sold
pursuant to Act No. 4052, which provides for appropriation.
Gregorio Aglipay, the head of the Philippine Independent Church, assailed the production and sale
of such stamps. Aglipay contends that the funding of said stamps commemorative to a particular
religious event is in violation of Sec 13, Article 6 of the Philippine Constitution which prohibits the
appropriation or usage of public money for the use or benefit of any church or denomination.

ISSUE: Whether or not the production of the said stamps violate the Constitution.

HELD: No. The sale of stamps is not in violation of the Constitution. In fact, what was emphasized on
the stamps was not the religious event itself but rather the City of Manila as being the seat of such
event. Act No. 4052 on the other hand did not appropriate any public money to a religious event. Act
No. 4052 appropriated the sum of P60,000.00 for the cost of plates and printing of postage stamps
with new designs and other expenses incident thereto, and merely 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. The fact that the fund is being used for such is only incidental to the function of
Director of Posts and under his discretion.

On religious freedom
The Supreme Court noted however that the elevating influence of religion is recognized here as
elsewhere. Evidence would be our preamble where we implored the aid of divine providence to
establish an ideal government. If should also be further noted that religious freedom as a
constitutional mandate is not an inhibition of profound reverence to religion.