The varying influence of religious groups on Philippine politics was on display this month, potentially impacting the work of Congress and even the results of the midterm national and local elections scheduled for May.

On January 13, the Christian church Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) mobilized more than a million of its members in the capital Manila to call for peace and unity. The gathering, which coincided with the resumption of Congress sessions, was organized to discourage legislators from endorsing the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte. However, the INC insisted that its assembly was simply a plea for peace and sobriety amid the infighting of political clans and parties.

During the same week, a group of citizens lobbied against a Senate bill on comprehensive sexuality education for teenagers for containing provisions that allegedly contradict Christian and Islamic teachings on morality and family life. They got the attention and eventual support of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who vowed to veto the measure for........

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