017. People vs.

Tengson
67 OG 1552
People of the Philippines, plaintiff-appellee
Tengson, defendant-appellant
Decision by: ______. Digest by: Lor Saguinsin.

Short Facts:
The criminal act complained of was the performance by the appellant of burial rites inside
the Roman Catholic Cemetery in accordance with the rules and practices of the sect called "Christ is
the Answer." There was a permit for the burial in question. Convicted by the lower court, appellant
was acquitted on appeal.

Doctrine:
For an act to be notoriously offensive to religious feelings it must be directed against a
religious practice or dogma or ritual for the purpose of ridicule. The act of performing burial rites
inside a Roman Catholic Cemetery, in accordance with the rules of practices of the sect Christ is the
Answer by reading passages from the bible, etc, is not.

Note: Sorry as of uploading time, I wasn’t able to find a copy of the original case online. I’ll try to
update this though.