Philippines Supreme Court upholds conviction of artist Carlos Celdran for 2010 cathedral protest

The Philippines Supreme Court on 1 August 2018 upheld the conviction of artist and activist Carlos Celdran for "offending religious feelings" during a 2010 protest. Celdran staged the demonstration on 30 September 2010 at Manila Cathedral during an ecumenical meeting, displaying support for women's reproductive rights and targeting church opposition to a reproductive health bill that passed in 2012. Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code, which prohibits acts "notoriously offensive to the feelings of the faithful" in places of worship, carries a potential 13-month prison sentence. Solicitor General Jose Calida argued on 15 August 2018 that the conviction lacks sufficient factual basis and should be reversed. Artists including Benedicto Cabrera, Ringo Bunoan, Nicolas Combarro, and Wawi Navarozza have launched an online petition calling for Article 133's removal. Ryan "Red" Tani of Filipino Freethinkers started a separate Change.org petition to repeal the law, with the organization holding a rally outside the Supreme Court. ArtAsiaPacific suggested the constitutional question centers on whether religious sentiments should be prioritized over freedom of expression. Celdran served as performance art programming director for the inaugural Manila Biennale earlier in 2018.