GMA News 2015: Former ‘Pasugo’ editor says INC general auditor involved in corruption

Published July 25, 2015 12:01am
GMA News Online

The former editor-in-chief of the Iglesia ni Cristo's official publication, “Pasugo”, on Friday alleged that the church's general auditor, Glicerio Santos Jr., was involved in corruption.

In a Facebook video posted by user "Sher Lock”, editor Isaias Samson Jr. called on Iglesia ni Cristo spokesperson Edwil Zabala and general evangelist Bienvenido Santiago to stop covering up for Santos.

"Hindi ko lamang maintindihan kung bakit ang katulad n'yo na mga ministro, at isa pa nga ay napakatagal na na ministro at anak din ng isang pioneer sa Iglesia, ay hindi masabi ang tunay ninyong niloloob at tunay ninyong nakikita. Alam ninyo na sa ating pag-uusap, kahit noon, kayo rin ang bumabanggit ng mga katiwalian na ginagawa ni Glicerio Santos Jr.," Samson said in the video.

Samson added that Santiago had even admitted to him that he knew Santos was involved in corruption, but said they could not do anything about it because he Santos was the “apple of the eye” of church authorities.

"Sana kung kayo (Zabala and Santiago) ay magsasalita pa, maging spokesperson kayo ng Diyos. Hindi ng mga taong inyong ipinagtatangol,” Samson said. “Tandaan iyong katiwalian, hindi naman ito makakaila. Liliataw at lilitaw iyan. Itinuturo natin iyan na hindi natatago ang lihim... Ihahayag iyan ng Panginoong Diyos."

Samson had claimed during a Thursday press conference that he was detained by the religious group and that other ministers had also been abducted.

Samson also detailed how corruption allegedly thrived inside the church, though he did not name those responsible.

That same Thursday Santiagio denied all Samson's allegations, and by Friday morning the chruch announced the expulsion of Samson and his family. Zabala said that the former Pasugo editor was expelled because of his refusal to submit to the authority of the church.

“Ang totoo, meron talagang departamento ang Iglesia na nakaukol lang sa auditing, napakatagal nang panahon kaya nga siguradong-sigurado kami na walang bahid ng katotohanan itong sinahabi nila,” Zabala explained.

"Meron silang mga hinahangad na mapasa kanila, na marahil hindi pinagbigyan, sapagkat lagi pong ikino-consider ni Brother Eduardo Manalo ay hindi family corporation," he added. — Trisha Macas/DVM, GMA News

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