Someone Starts Preaching on Your Commute. Can They Actually Do That?
There's a time and place for everything.
Published on Aug 26, 2026
(SPOT.ph) Commuting in Metro Manila is already chaotic, crowded, and relentlessly noisy. Every so often, someone stands up, pulls out a Bible and a microphone, and starts preaching to everyone around them. Needless to say, not everybody is on board with this—and what begins as a sermon can quickly turn into an equally passionate debate.
On one hand, the freedom to exercise and share one's religion is deeply ingrained and protected in the Philippines. On the other hand, commuters inside a moving vehicle can’t exactly walk away from a message they never asked to hear. Where does religious freedom end and consideration for everyone else begin?
Also read: “Stop Playing Loud Videos”: Etiquette Rules From a Frustrated Commuter in the Philippines
What train operators have to say about public preaching
In an official statement to SPOT.ph, the DOTr MRT-3 said it “respect[s] all faiths and every passenger’s right to a peaceful and comfortable journey.” However, it also emphasized that maintaining public order remains a priority.
“We respectfully remind passengers to refrain from loud conversations, singing, playing music, and other activities that may disturb fellow passengers.”
Put simply, it’s less about suppressing faith and more about managing behavior that disrupts other passengers. Much like someone blasting music through a speaker, preaching loudly inside a train can become a problem when it interferes with everyone else’s commute.
The MRT-3 added that train marshals and security personnel will continue to enforce existing policies to keep rides “safe, orderly, and comfortable for all.” If you encounter something similar during your commute, the management said it is best to flag it with onboard staff.
“We encourage commuters to report similar incidents immediately to the nearest Train Marshal or station personnel for immediate assistance.”
That tension came into view recently when a post of a woman preaching on the MRT-3 circulated on social media. After an onboard security guard asked her to stop mid-sermon, the preacher took to her public Facebook page to address the incident. She said she continues to share messages on public transport despite the risk of upsetting passengers, viewing it as a necessary part of her calling.
SPOT.ph has also reached out to the management of LRT-1, LRT-2, and the EDSA Busway Carousel about their policies but has not yet received a response as of publication.
The same principle applies under Philippine law
It’s true: freedom of expression and religious worship are protected under Article III, Section 5 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Those freedoms, however, do not exist without limits when public order is involved. Article 153 of the Revised Penal Code penalizes serious disturbances in public places or transportation hubs, while Article 155 penalizes alarms and scandals that disturb public peace.
There’s also the question of the people who have no practical way to avoid the message. In 1-UTAK v. COMELEC, the Supreme Court referenced the captive audience doctrine, saying “a listener has a right not to be exposed to an unwanted message in circumstances in which the communication cannot be avoided.”
Also read: Can Catholics Practice Religion Through Livestreaming?
Celia Nachura writes to pay for plane tickets, tennis classes, and a pile of books she’ll never have the time to read. She is also the emotional support human to two dogs, Daisy and Nacho.