Santiago City passes ordinance requiring prayer at 6PM; Church-state separation?

SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela—The measure may have the best intentions, but is apparently not getting everyone to say “Amen.” xxx When the clock strikes 6 in the evening, government vehicles are expected to turn on their sirens and roam the streets to remind motorists, pedestrians, students in school and employees at work to stop for a minute of prayer. The ordinance, which took effect on Aug. 1 after being signed by Mayor Joseph Tan, was authored by Councilor Paul de Jesus and supported by 11 other councilors. But it has been drawing mixed reactions from residents. Some welcomed it as a way to rekindle their faith, while others considered it a violation of the principle of the separation of church and state. (Traffic stops for city’s 6 p.m. habit Philippine Daily Inquirer / 07:12 AM August 05, 2017; VILLAMOR VISAYA JR.; Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/920494/philippine-news-updates-regions-amen-joseph-tan-6-p-m-habit-isabela-santiago#ixzz4yYt22QBP Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook)