Tour guide and activist Carlos Celdran is going to jail.
According to mb.com.ph, judge Juan Bermejo Jr. of the Manila Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC) Branch 4 found Celdran “guilty beyond reasonable doubt” of the crime of offending religious feelings under Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code. He was sentenced imprisonment of two months and 21 days (minimum) to one year, one month and 11 days (maximum) jail time.
It can be remembered that while a Holy Mass was going on inside the Manila Cathedral in 2010, Celdran theatrically protested in support of the reproductive health Bill. He dressed up like Jose Rizal, walked into the church with a “Damaso” placard, shouting “Stop getting involved in politics!”
Expectedly, netizens are passionately reacting to the sentence.
Some examples:
Wow, expressing opinions about religion can put you to jail now, huh? Carlos Celdran is a brave man. You have my support, sir. – @OD3TTEaGOGO
The ruling of the Manila RTC vs @carlosceldran offends civil liberties feelings. We are w/ you, Carlos. – @risahontiveros
Shocked and sick at the verdict versus @carlosceldran. 🙁 – @gabemercado
