According to manilastandard.net, the Palace warned the Catholic Church on March 23 that churches would be closed in the exercise of the state’s police powers if they insisted on holding services despite rising coronavirus cases in Metro Manila and its adjacent provinces.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo had criticized the ban on religious gatherings amid the firmer COVID-19 restrictions placed on the so-called National Capital Region-plus “bubble,” saying it was a violation of religious freedom.
But Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque told a news briefing: "We ask Bishop Pabillo not to encourage disregard of IATF rules. This is for the good of everyone anyway.”
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manilastandard.net mentions, then Roque warned, if churches pushed through with their opening, "in the exercise of police powers, we can order the churches closed."
“We hope it will not come to that Bishop Pabillo. We cannot achieve any objective if you will defy, and you will force the state to close the doors of the church,” he added.
In a statement, Pabillo said the state – meaning, the government – did not consult the church before deciding on the matter amid the upcoming Holy Week, which starts with Palm Sunday on March 28.
He added the Archdiocese of Manila would hold religious worship at 10 percent of a church's capacity starting Wednesday, March 24.
Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal — designated as the "National Capital Region Plus" — were placed under a stricter community quarantine from March 22 to April 4.
At the same time, under the stricter GCQ, weddings, baptisms, and funerals may be held but limited to only 10 people.
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