By Anica Angela Nicole Modena Hill
Human Rights Advocate | HR Manager | Brief Juris Doctor
On June 17, 2025, during a regular council session in Tuguegarao, a prayer was delivered that surprised the nation. One line stood out:
“Feel free to modify this prayer or tailor it to your specific needs and benefits.”
This wasn’t part of any devotion, sounded more like an editing instruction, and something that might come from a content template or writing tool.
Reports from multiple sources describe the speaker reading from a mobile phone, voice steady, yet unaware that the words being shared were never meant to be spoken in that sacred setting. In moments like this, we are reminded that speech has weight, especially when directed to God and delivered on behalf of the people. This is not simply a meme. It is a mirror of the person who spoke.
In a democratic society governed by law, public office is a public trust.
Article XI, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution reminds us:
“Public officers and employees must, at all times, be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency.”
The use of digital tools, including AI-generated text, in official functions, especially sacred acts like prayer, should not be casually dismissed or blindly embraced. This is not about modernity versus tradition. It’s about sincerity. It’s about accountability.
A moment exposes a gap in digital literacy and ethical preparation in public service. Technology is not inherently harmful. But using it without understanding, especially in emotionally sacred spaces, risks undermining trust and violating public expectations. The goal should never be to appear perfect; it should be to be prepared, real, and sincere.
In Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is declared:
“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.”
This includes the right to express prayer, but also the responsibility not to trivialize it, especially from a position of public leadership. Prayer is not a script to be read without meaning. It is a mirror of the soul, a reflection of one’s heart.
No one should speak to God using borrowed words they haven’t reviewed or felt. It becomes hollow. Worse, it risks turning public service into performance.
Let’s not use this moment to shame. Let’s use it to improve.
- Educate public officials on digital responsibility
- Promote review and accountability in public communication
- Defend both freedom of expression and spiritual sincerity
- Reinforce that leadership requires reflection, not automation
To those quick to laugh, consider how you would handle such responsibility.
To those in public service. Remember, every word you speak reflects the people you serve.
To the next generation, let this moment teach us to combine intelligence with integrity.
Further Reading & reference/s;
This reflection is inspired by a public report from Inquirer POP!, published on June 18, 2025, which covered the viral moment during a city council session in Tuguegarao, where an alleged AI-generated prayer was read aloud.
Full article:
City councilor in Tuguegarao faces backlash over alleged use of AI to write an opening prayer – Inquirer POP!
Authored by: Anica Angela Nicole Modena Hill
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