Katiwalian sa INC™ ayon sa Yumaong Ka Eraño G. Manalo

“Kung ang isang manggagawa kakampi sa katiwalian hindi pwedeng manindigan. Kung ang isang maggagawa siya pang nagtuturo ng katiwalian eh lalong masamangmanggagawa ito. Wala nang sariling paninindigan ay siya pang kasangkapan ng diablo. Eh sino ho ‘yang ganyang manggagawa? Maraming manggagawa natin halos lahat ganyan.” -Eraño G. Manalo [listen to In Defense of the Church]

Rappler: After the 2015 controversies: What's been happening inside the Iglesia ni Cristo?

For the INC's 105th anniversary on July 27, Rappler speaks with members, both active and inactive, who talk about changes – some of them painful – in their church

Jodesz Gavilan for Rappler

@jodeszgavilan

Published 11:35 AM, July 27, 2019

Updated 11:35 AM, July 27, 2019

MANILA, Philippines – For many years, Guia* embodied what is expected of a loyal member of the Iglesia ni Cristo.

She regularly attended services, moved in a circle full of INC members, aligned her activities with the teachings, and didn’t have any bit of doubt about what the church stands for.

“I was living in a bubble because my community was mainly centered around the church, the home, and the school,” Guia told Rappler. “I didn't have other perspectives.”

But everything changed one fateful month in 2015.

The months surrounding July 2015 were a battle of propaganda and violence between the strong circle of INC executive director Eduardo V. Manalo and the camp of expelled members, including high-ranking ministers and even members of the Manalo family. (READ: Revolt in the Iglesia ni Cristo)

There were huge rallies on EDSA, small stakeouts outside the family compound along Tandang Sora Avenue, and toxic exchanges on social media which extended to groups outside of the warring sides, including politicians and the media.

It was also when the INC explicitly flexed its political influence cultivated since its establishment in 1914 by Felix Manalo. (INFOGRAPHIC: What you should know about the Iglesia ni Cristo)

But for Guia and many members of the INC, the period starting July 2015 was the beginning of what they refer to as an unravelling of the group’s flaws. The biggest controversy that struck the 105-year-old religious group was a turning point for many who were born into, or grew up in, the church. (READ: Manalo brother hits Iglesia ni Cristo 'corruption')

“What made me more awakened, I guess, was that the facts are there,” Guia said, admitting being in denial for the first few months. “The videos kept coming up, more people were speaking up, the blogs were out…it’s that bad.”

The conversations painted a picture of a leadership both aggressively fighting doubts from its own members and shielding them from external criticism.

“I would look forward to going to Church before because I would love to listen to the lessons basically that say do good, check your lifestyle, there was no judgment,” Guia said.

“But now, it has become the way that we need to defend our church against these attackers, we are being attacked and therefore we should fight back,” she added.

Rappler has repeatedly tried since Wednesday, July 24, to get the side of the INC leadership through its spokesperson Edwil Zabala, but text messages and emails have yet to be answered as of Saturday, July 27. We will update this story once we get a response.

ONE. One of the social media posts supporting EVM after the 2015 controversies. Screenshot from Facebook

'One with EVM'

A few months after July 2015, Guia saw herself seated among other faithfuls inside one INC locale in Quezon City, watching a recorded video of Eduardo V Manalo – or EVM – preaching from one faraway place.

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It was the first of what became a fixture in many locales within and outside the Philippines, as confirmed by other INC members Rappler talked to.

Based in the United States, Luis* spent his whole life in the church as his father's side are all members of the INC while his mother converted upon marriage. He described himself as a "good follower" who held a few positions within his locale.

He told Rappler that these videos usually showed EVM preaching from different locations where he went to for church dedications, adding that many members who are against the leadership called this “‘pay-per-view’ service since you give your offering to watch a recording.”

Carlos*, whose INC locale is also in the US, said that the videos would be played every weekend and would take longer than the usual services.

“The church loves to pride itself in unity, so weekly lessons are the same worldwide,” he said.

For Guia, the videos felt like an effort by the church administration to keep EVM in the spotlight amid allegations of corruption and mismanagement. These charges against his leadership came from expelled members and his own family.

“I also felt uncomfortable with it [after a while] because I was in church and I would feel, bakit ako nanonood? (Why am I watching this?)” she said. “It wasn't spiritual for me, it's as if I was mechanically watching television.”

Aside from the frequent videos, many of the church activities were fashioned after the name of EVM, including one dubbed as "Make EVM Smile" project.

Jose*, an active INC member from 1988 to 2017 in Texas, said that he has seen how teachings shifted from being based on the Bible to everything for EVM.

The hymns he used to sing as a choir member growing up were pulled out and replaced with songs that give glory to the leadership. “I hear it’s only gotten worse now. People sing songs about him when he visits,” Jose added.

A quick search on YouTube will show several videos of songs about EVM. One of these songs, I Am One With EVM, was uploaded in August 2016 and featured international locales.

EVM AWARDS. The Iglesia ni Cristo holds its Excellence in Visual Media (EVM) awards in October 2015. File photo by Rappler

Obey the administration

Since July 2015, the circle of expelled and current members has grown bigger and with it, sentiments and allegations against the INC leadership. Anti-INC bloggers writing under pseudonyms became more active while international media reported on the controversies surrounding the INC.

These developments, as expected, did not sit well with the leadership. But for many inside the INC, particularly millennials, the external criticism opened their eyes to what was happening – something that the INC administration tried to discourage and stop.

How did they do it? According to INC members Rappler whom talked to, denial was their first resort followed by censorship of any external media that showed a contrary view.

“The church leadership censors the brethren as we are told not to listen, read, or watch anything that puts the church in a bad light,” Carlos said. “We are told not to believe the negative things that are being said about the church, and are told to only trust news that are on the church website/radio/TV channel.”

Luis, meanwhile, said that lessons became very repetitive and “became more focused on the administration and [the need] to obey them.” The church, he said, became more controlling of its members.

Dennis*, a member for 40 years, saw that the leadership implemented the mantra “obey and never complain” which forced many of its members to turn a blind eye to everything else or face possible expulsion.

“That mantra in itself reveals just how much the INC despises critical thought and analysis or accountability,” he told Rappler. “In other words, you are not allowed to ask questions just follow what you are told.”

Staying or leaving

This has led to a more problematic outcome, the members said, as sisters and brothers were allegedly encouraged to report those who are defying the orders of the leadership.

“There was a lot of tension within the brethren and they were encouraged to spy and tell on each other if they see that they might be against the church administration,” Carlos said.

Being expelled from the religious group, also called “tiwalag,” is said to be the worst thing that can happen to an INC member. For many, being subjected to it means you can no longer be "saved" or even lose benefits that come with membership in the church.

An expulsion decision is finalized ideally only after going through a rigorous process, an INC source told Rappler. The expelled member’s name is removed from the official roster and immediately announced in the following church service. (FAST FACTS: What does 'tiwalag' mean for Iglesia ni Cristo?)

Expelled members cannot attend INC-related activities, and in many cases, are barred from speaking to other members. This is precisely why many are afraid to speak up or go against the orders of the church leadership publicly.

“The paranoia became really high, everyone was being afraid of being reported,” Jose said.

There are INC members who have publicly challenged the leadership only to be persecuted and expelled. Others have reduced their involvement in church activities and are just waiting to be called out, lacking enough courage to actually terminate their membership given the repercussions. (READ: Ex-INC members alarmed over 'disappearances')

Guia believes that the loss of confidence of many of INC members could have been avoided if only the leadership was open to the questions they had. The lack of transparency only worsened things.

“It would help if they would just explain to us what’s happening just so I can see their openness to discuss what members feel about the controversies,” she said.

“I think it would make me more comfortable, more safer to be part of the church.” – Rappler.com

*Names of the subjects have been changed for their protection.

INC Exposed by CBS News (Canada) ~ How The Fifth Estate dealt with intimidation | The Investigators with Diana Swain

"INC run by one family..." -CBS News

Silent No More: Iglesia Ni Cristo Intimidates CBC Investigative Journalists

Source: Iglesia Ni Cristo – Silent No More by Antonio Ramirez Ebangelista

Just a short sampler of the BIG ONE airing on Sunday is this short but already in-depth feature of Fifth Estate Investigative Team with Diana Swain. See how The Investigators clearly documented the harassment they experienced in the hands of people who profess to be Christians but showed hate-filled behaviors to intimidate with the intent to harm others.

This is the same church that shows love and compassion towards its fellow men through their highly publicized turned controversial Aides To Humanity and other so-called Community Services where they display overwhelming generosity towards strangers while they hail their Executive Leader who is exemplary in denying love and compassion to his own mother and family! This is the same church who proudly bears the name of Christ in the hopes that the public will not see through the motives behind their blatant propaganda. What is becoming clearer and clearer is that they propagate their faith as people who want their fellowmen to achieve salvation, but their actions deny the basic principles of being Christ’s disciples.

Such a barrage of lies will be exposed and more and more secrets of the current leaders of this institution shall be revealed in the whole story, Church of Secrets…

A. E.

While investigating Iglesia ni Cristo, a Filipino church with dozens of congregations in Canada, a Fifth Estate crew felt intimidation that went beyond the usual. Diana talks to host Bob McKeown and producer Timothy Sawa about how they dealt with it. Watch ‘The Investigators with Diana Swain’ Thursdays at 7:00 pm on CBC Television; Saturdays at 9:30 pm ET and Sundays at 5:30 pm ET on CBC News Network.

Iglesia Ni Cristo®-1914: "Simbahan ng mga Lihim" ayon sa CBSNews

SIMBAHAN NG MGA LIHIM

May libo-libong taga-sunod ang Iglesia ni Cristo sa Canada, ngunit ilang de-boto sa Pilipinas ay naakusahan ng kidnapping at pag-patay. Ito ay istorya ng isang Canadian na may naka-engkwentrong miyembro ng nasabing simbahan at namatay.

By Timothy Sawa, Lynette Fortune and Bob McKeown
CBSNews November 11, 2018

• Read this story in English

Halos 8 ng gabi at tahimik na tahimik sa isang karaniwang maalinsangang gabi malapit sa komunidad ng baybayin ng Batangas City sa Pilipinas.

Hanggang nasira ang katahimikan ng huni at kalantog ng isang lumalapit na motorsiklo.

Ito ay Hunyo nitong nakalipas na tag-init at si Luzie Gammon ay nasa kusina ng bahay ng kanyang napanaginipang itinayo niya kasama ang kanyang asawa na si Barry Gammon, nang ang huni ay napalitan ng nakakatuhog at hindi mapag-aalinlangang tunog ng baril na pumuputok na paulit-ulit.

Tumakbo siya sa harap na balkonahe nang nakita ang kanyang asawa, 66, nagpupunyaging isara ang kanilang gate sa isang nanghihimasok.

"Patuloy kaming nagtutulak at patuloy siya bumabaril," sabi niya sa isang kamakailang interbyu sa The Fifth Estate.

Si Barry at Luzie Gammon ay may bahay sa Batangas City, Philippines. (Luzie Gammon)

At pagkatapos "bumagsak ang aking asawa." Tumigil si Gammon habang sinikap niyang pagsasaalaala ang mga detalye. At pagkatapos siya ay nagpatuloy.

“Ang kanyang mukha, ang kanyang dugo ay nasa sahig at … siya’y dumudugo. Sa oras na iyon ito ay parang, ito ay hindi totoo, ano ang nangyayari? Ako ay kumikilos at gumagawa nguni’t hindi ito nagrerehistro sa aking isip. Totoo ba ito?”

Biglang bumalik siya sa katotohanan nang natanto niya na ang kanilang pitong taong gulang na anak, si JJ, ay nakatayo sa likod niya, lubos na walang galaw.

"Dinaklot ko ang aking anak at itinulak siya ... sa loob ng bahay," patuloy niya.

"Dito ka lang at kukuha ako ng tulong, '" naalala ang kaniyang sinabi kay JJ. "Nguni’t hindi niya gusto ... ito ay talagang ... nakakasakit ng damdamin. Sinabi niya sa akin, 'Kailangan natin tulungan ang tatay.' "

Sinabi niya sa kanya na maghintay.

"'Hindi, Mommy. Sasama ako sa iyo," sabi niya. "Tayong lahat ay magkasabay na mamatay."

Si Luzie at Barry Gammon at kanilang anak na si JJ sa kanilang bahay sa Pilipinas. (Luzie Gammon)

Namatay si Barry Gammon noong Hunyo 24 ng gabi sa Pilipinas. Nakaligtas si Luzie at JJ. Limang linggo matapos ang nakakasawing pagbaril, umalis sila ng Pilipinas papuntang Canada.

Habang siya ay lumuluhang sariwaing sa alaala ang mga pangyayari noong gabing iyon sa The Fifth Estate, lumapit si JJ at inilagay ang kanyang ulo sa kanyang dibdib. Sila ay nagyakapan.

“Siya ay talagang malakas, talagang malakas para sa akin,” ang sabi niya.

Sila ay ligtas sa Vancouver ngayon. Subali't, ang ipinakita ng isang pagsisiyasat ng Fifth Estate, ang kanilang mga buhay ay tuluyang nasira malamang dahil sa isang bagay na walang kabuluhan gaya ng isang alitan ng ari-arian sa kanilang mga kapitbahay. Nguni't noong panahong iyon, wala silang ideya kung gaano agresibo at mapanganib ang mga kapitbahay na iyon.

Ang kanilang mga kapitbahay ay mga miyembro ng isang malakas at mayamang simbahan, na may milyun-milyong tagasunod sa buong mundo, kabilang ang Canada, na kinikilala na Iglesia Ni Cristo.

Ang sentral na templo ng INC ay namumukod laban sa kalangitan ng Metro Manila. (Max and Hetty)

II.

Ang punong-tanggapan ng INC, na kinikilala, ay nasa isang maringal parang kastilyo na templo sa Metro Manila. Ang matayog na luntiang taluktok nito ay tumatagos sa kalangitan sa pinaka-populasyong lunsod ng Pilipinas.

Ang Tagalog para sa Church of Christ, ang Iglesia Ni Cristo, ay mahigit sa 100 taong gulang. Ito ay mayroong halos 7,000 mga kongregasyon sa buong mundo, kabilang ang higit sa 80 sa Canada, mula sa maliliit na bayan tulad ng Durham, Ont., at Abbotsford, B.C., sa pinakakaunting isa sa halos bawa't pangunahing sentro ng Canada.

Libu-libong mga Canadiano ang dumadalo sa mga simbahang iyon, sumasamba at nakikibahagi sa mga kawanggawang kapakanan.

Noong 2009, si Eduardo Manalo, ang apo ng tagapagtatag ng INC at tinutukoy bilang ehekutibong ministro, ay naging tagapamahala ng INC.

Ang imbestigasyon ng Fifth Estate ay nagpapakita ng pagbabago ng simbahan sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Manalo.

Nirepaso namin ang daan-daang pahina ng mga dokumento ng korte, mga ulat ng pulisya at mga artikulo ng media at nakipag-usap sa mga dose-dosenang dating mga miyembro ng simbahan pati na rin ang mga pinagkukunan ng pulisya, legal at pampinansyal na mga eksperto at mga lokal na journalist. Ang imbestigasyon ay nagpapakita ng isang tularan, na ang mga miyembro ng simbahan sa Pilipinas ay nagiging mas agresibo, mapanganib, nasusuhulan at handang magkidnap at kahit patayin ang sinuman na nakahadlang sa kanilang paraan.

Isinasaalang-alang din ng imbestigasyon ang tanong: Kilala ba ng mga Canadiano na dumadalo o sumusuporta sa INC ang kanilang simbahan at kung ano ang maaaring mangyari kapag pinili ng mga tao na magsalita?

Ang mga miyembro ng INC sa Regina ay pinawalang-saysay ang pintas sa simbahan noong 2016, sa isang video na nakapaskil sa online ng simbahan.

"Tuwing nagsasalita ang mga tao ng mga masamang bagay o sumubok na magsalita ng masama tungkol sa aming pangangasiwa ng simbahan ... ito ay tiyak na ang gawain ng kaaway," sabi ng isang miyembro.

"Mula sa umpisa, ang Diyos ay nagpalakas sa aking pananampalataya," ang sabi ng isa pa. "Kaya hindi ko na lang pinahihintulutang makinig sa mga taong iyon [na pumipintas sa simbahan]."

Si Eduardo Manalo, na nasa sentro na ipinapakita rito noong 2014, ay naging pinuno ng INC limang taon nang nakararaan. (Mark Fredesjed R. Cristino/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Sa isang liham mula sa mga abugado na kumikilos para sa simbahan, pinagkaila nito ang mga natuklasan ng imbestigasyon ng The Fifth Estate at tumangging magbigay ng tiyak na impormasyon, sinasabing nangangailangan ito ng higit pang mga detalye.

Gayunpaman, kamakailan ang INC ay nakatawag-pansin sa Immigration and Refugee Board ng Canada.

Tatlong dating miyembro ng simbahan na tumakas sa Pilipinas sa Canada, ay nagsasabi na ang kanilang buhay ay nasa panganib mula sa simbahan.

Sa tatlong hiwalay na desisyon sa 2017 at 2018, tinanggap ng lupon ang testimonyo ng lahat ng tatlong dating miyembro at binigyan sila ng katayuan ng refugee (takas).

Ayon sa isang desisyon, ang buhay ng naghahabol ay nasa panganib mula sa isang simbahan na may parehong "paraan at pagganyak" upang pumatay.

Sa isa pang desisyon, ang lupon ay nagpasiya na ang pulisya sa Pilipinas ay handang protektahan ang INC, nagpapahiwatig pa man ng iba't ibang mga paraan na maaaring patayin ang mga kritiko ng simbahan.

"May iba't ibang mga senaryo kung saan maaaring mapatay ang [naghahabol]," isinulat ng lupon sa isang desisyon noong Marso ng nakaraang taon, "mula sa mga itinanghal na sagupaan ng pulis sa pagkamatay sa billanguan sa kontrata pagpatay sa isang bansa kung saan ang mga nagpapatay ay marami at mura."

Ang mga desisyon ay patuloy na nagsasabi na ang mga utos ng simbahan ay may kapangyarihan sa Pilipinas, sa bahaging dahil ang mga miyembro nito ay bumoto bilang isang bloke, na nagbibigay ng impluwensya kung sino ang ihalal.

Ang pinuno nito, si Manalo, na hinirang kamakailan ng isang espesyal na sugo para sa mga pag-aalala sa ibang bansa ng Pangulo ng Pilipinas na si Rodrigo Duterte at makikita sa mga ulat ng balita na nakikipagkamay sa pangulo.

Ang INC ay isang simbahan na "tulad ng kulto", isinulat ng Immigration and Refugee Board ng Canada, na binabanggit ang isang ikatlong naghahabol na nagsabi na ang INC ay “hindi maaaring mahawakan ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas, hudikatura ng tagapagpatupad ng batas o maging ang pangulo mismo.”

Tumakas si Lowell Menorca sa Canada mahigit nang dalawang taong nakalipas mula sa Pilipinas. (CBC)

III.

Si Lowell Menorca ay nagaalsa ng mga kahon na nakasalansang mataas na may mga isang araw na lumang mga cake at tinapay mula sa pagkargang pantalan ng isang mamahaling groseri sa kanyang may tapas na puting minivan. Sinara niya ng malakas ang baul ng awto at nagmaneho sa mga okupadong mga kalye ng Burnaby, B.C.

KUNG MAY UTANG ANG IGLESIA NI CRISTO®: "MAGHIWA-HIWALAY NA TAYO!" -Erano G. Manalo

Transcript:

Pangangaral ni G. ERAÑO G. MANALO
Talumpati ng yumaong Pangalawang Punong Ministro, Anak ng Tagapag-tatag ng Iglesia Ni Cristo® na si Felix Y. Manalo sa ika-75 na anibersaryo nang pagkakatatag ng INC™, Hulyo 27, 1989.

Papaano natutustusan ng Iglesia Ni Cristo ang lahat at ang iba pang mga proyekto nito? Masasabi natin na ang Iglesia Ni Cristo na nagsimula rito sa Pilipinas, at sinimulan ng isang Pilipino, at itinataguyod ng mga angaw-angaw ng mga Pilipino, ay tumayo sa kanyang sariling paa.

Wala pong tumutustos na dayuhan. Wala pong foreign aid. Sa madaling sabi ang Iglesia ho Ni Cristo ay walang utang kahit saang bangko.

Ang Iglesia Ni Cristo ay hindi po nagsasangla ng mga titulo ng lupa para lamang makakuha ng pondo.  Bukas... bukas ang opisina ng Iglesia [Ni Cristo]. 'Pag nakakita kayo ng kahit isang titulo na may gravamen, o mayroon marka ng pagkakasanla, MAGHIWA-HIWALAY NA TAYO!

Kaya ho sa atin eh, walang gigipit na World Bank. Kahit na ang IMF (International Monetary Fund). At lalong hindi tayo  kontrolado ng mga dayuhan.  

Hindi naman tayo kumukuha sa kinikita ng Casino. Wala tayong pasugal, paperya, walang loterya, walang binggo, para lang makalikom ng pera. Wala ho niyan.

Lalo namang hindi tayo tumatanggap ng pera mula sa mga kandidato o sa sinumang pinuno ng gobyerno.

Eh saan ho nanggaling ang salaping itinutustos sa napakaraming proyekto ng Iglesia? 'Yan po ay sa tulong ng Diyos at sa pamamagitan ng boluntaryong kontribusyon ng mga kaanib sa mga araw ng pagsamba na ang karamihan sa mga kaanib na 'yan na siyang sumusuporta sa Iglesia...

* * *

Over P1B bank loans for the Iglesia ni Cristo’s Philippine Arena?

The late INC executive minister Eraño Manalo once said, 'Ang Iglesia ni Cristo ay walang utang kahit na saang bangko. Ang Iglesia ni Cristo ay hindi nagsasanla ng mga titulo ng lupa para lamang makakuha ng pondo.' -Rappler 

* * *

Iglesia property in The Fort sold for almost P1B
Three high-end condominium towers – all part of Fort Victoria in upscale Bonifacio Global City in The Fort – stand on prime property of the INC acquired in March 1998. That property, located on 5th Avenue corner Rizal Drive in Taguig City has, however, been sold by the INC for close to P1 billion ($21.62 million) to NSJB, Rappler has learned. -Rappler

* * *

Evidence of Church Properties Used as Collateral 

(Source: Silent No More)

These are but a small sample among the hundreds of properties owned by “Iglesia ni Cristo” which were used as collateral for loans with Metrobank and AUB.  In particular, the ones shown below are among a very long list of properties used to secure an ADDITIONAL P3 BILLION LOAN with Metrobank and an ADDITIONAL P2 BILLION LOAN with AUB. Remember the word “ADDITIONAL” because that’s significant and I will get back to that later.

Let’s study the first one.

1. TCT RT-113559

* * *

THE MURDER CASE OF EX-INC FELIX VILLOCINO! By Sher Lock

Sher Lock

BREAKING NEWS!!!

BLINDFOLDED so our dear brother would not be able to identify those familiar and famous faces he was presented to, blindfolded so he would only hear his interrogators, blindfolded so he would not see his torturers who are familiar to him as Bro. Felix has seen them tailing him for quiet some time. He was interrogated on the messages of supporters on his celphone which resulted in a mass expulsion of silent defenders in Australia.

The killers of Ka Felix are the same killers of GOOD SAMARITANS Danilo Patungan, Lito Fruto and Peter Ledesma. All men whose common ‘crime’ is simply delivering food to the family of KA ERDY.

WE ALL KNOW WHO THE MASTERMINDS ARE.

Sila lang yan, wala ng iba.

More photos to be uploaded. ABANGAN! [READ MORE HERE...]

Arestado ang mga Sumusuway sa Pamamahala ni Eduardo V. Manalo (EVM) ng 'Iglesia Ni Cristo'® (INC™)

SUSPECTED ANTI-IGLESIA BLOGGER ARRESTED

Rovic Canono is arrested over a case allegedly instigated by the INC. Canono is suspected to be behind the critical blogs against the powerful church, an allegation he denies.

By Katerina Francisco @kaifrancisco
Rappler.com / 11/30/2016

DETAINED. INC member Rovic Canono is detained in Camp Karingal over a case filed by his ex-wife. Sourced photo

MANILA, Philippines – An expelled member of the influential homegrown church Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) has been arrested over a case filed by his wife, allegedly under the instigation of the church leadership.

Rovic Canono was arrested and detained in Camp Karingal, Quezon City, on Friday, November 11, for violation of Republic Act 9262, or the anti-violence against women and children act.

Canono is accused of violating Sections 5(h) and (i) of RA 9262, which refer to causing emotional or psychological distress to the woman or her child, and causing mental or emotional anguish, public ridicule, or humiliation.

Canono is reportedly suspected of being behind social media accounts critical of the church leadership.

Over the past year, the Facebook account "Sher Lock" and the blog "Silent No More" have been running stories alleging corruption within the church's ranks. The blog and Facebook page have also posted stories on the alleged abductions of church ministers and harassment of the estranged siblings of INC executive minister Eduardo Manalo, in an ongoing issue that has rocked the church since July last year. (READ: Revolt in the Iglesia ni Cristo)

The bench warrant of arrest against Canono was issued by Judge Jacqueline Martin-Balictar of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 9.

The charge against Canono was filed by his wife, with whom he has been separated for several years. Rappler learned that Canono was taken from his condominium in Eastwood, Quezon City by armed operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit wearing civilian clothing.

Instead of being brought to the nearby police station inside Eastwood, however, Canono was taken to Camp Karingal in Sikatuna Village, about 5 kilometers away from the Central Temple of Iglesia.

According to a joint affidavit of arrest filed by the arresting police officers, Canono allegedly violently resisted arrest and had tried to call for help from his friends instead of contacting a lawyer. SPO1 Luisito Ubias and PO1 Mario Morales allegedly sustained injuries from the incident.

Canono is now facing an additional complaint of direct assault and resistance and disobedience to a person in authority.

Wilfredo Santos from the INC's legal department has taken on the case against Canono. The INC-run news network Net25 was already in Camp Karingal when Canono arrived.

Lawyer Rene Saguisag – also the counsel for the estranged Manalo siblings – is handling Canono's case.

Rappler contacted Bro. Edwil Zabala, spokesman for the INC, for comment, but there has been no reply as of Sunday afternoon. This story will be updated once a statement or comment from the INC is released.

Similar to Menorca?

According to the "Silent No More" blog, the circumstances of Canono's arrest were similar to those of expelled member Lowell Menorca II. In July 2015, Menorca was illegally detained for nearly 3 months under alleged orders of the church's leaders, and was previously arrested in Dasmariñas, Cavite, for alleged illegal possession of an explosive. The charge is a non-bailable offense.

Menorca at the time pointed to the INC's Sanggunian or Council as the perpetrators behind his arrest and illegal detention. Later an adultery case was filed against him.

In March 2016, Menorca left the country with his family, citing an alleged death threat and continued harassment from his critics.

In a message to Rappler, Menorca said that Canono's arrest was "all too familiar" to him, and that the operation had "all the fingerprints of the well-coordinated and influenced efforts of a very powerful institution."

"I know that the pattern will emerge soon enough to reveal the powerful hand behind these series of seemless events and circumstances that can only be possible, as orchestrated by a very influential force that has perfected this craft of inquisition against those whom they consider enemies for being critical of the church," he said.

Menorca added that since Canono's case can be resolved by posting bail, he may be charged with numerous other cases to either keep him in jail or exhaust his financial resources.

The "Silent No More" blog also posted a photo of a letter supposedly written by Canono in July 2015. According to the letter, Canono had been told that he was being "hunted down by a group of men" upon the orders of the INC leaders.

INC TO BLAME? The "Silent No More" blog posts a letter supposedly written by Rovic Canono in July 2015. Photo from Silent No More blog

The letter contained a list of names "[to] be held accountable if harm/death" happens to him or his family.

The list included the INC executive minister, his wife, Babylyn; INC auditor Glicerio Santos Jr, and other church officials. – Rappler.com

Note: We initially referred to Rovic Canono as a member of the INC. We have since updated the story to reflect his status as an expelled member.

Isang blog ng kaanib ng INC™ (Iglesia Ni Cristo®) Umangal sa Kanilang Aral na Sobrang Pinupuri ang Ka Eduardo V. Manalo higit pa kay Cristo

Mula sa INC From the Edge

The Most Important Birthday in the World

I expected this day to come. Like many of the members of the Church of Christ, we all knew that this weekend’s lesson would be about the “Most Important Man in the World” himself, EVM and his birthday. There’s not much to say really. I’m sure you have seen plenty of comments that range from annoyed to outrage.

I watched brethren squirm as the hour-long lesson was preached. Our preacher droned on endlessly repeating the “Administration” and “Executive Minister” literally every minute. It was about “how much HE wants” this and that for the Church and how much HE “sacrificed”.

I really don’t want to think about this much longer than I have to so let me just say these things and be over and done with:

1. I don’t know about your congregation, but in the one I went, the name of Christ was mentioned only 7 times whilst EVM was pretty much in every sentence. This used to be the Church OF Christ.
2. Let’s say for arguments sake that EVM did such wonderful things for the Church. Do they need to be told and counted? Do we now owe him our first borns?

Why do we care what HE wants? Should it not be what God wants?

Why should we not accept the things that were said in the lesson today? Should we not be impressed by all the things that EVM has done?

Ephesians 2:8-9

 I mean that you have been saved by grace because you believed. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God. You are not saved by the things you have done, so there is nothing to boast about.

What should be said when one has done his duty?

Luke 17:10

That’s the way it is with you. When you’ve done everything you’re ordered to do, say, ‘We’re worthless servants. We’ve only done our duty.’”

Imagine, even the Pastoral visits and Chapel dedications, brethren are told to say “Thank you po, Ka Eduardo”?? Those are EVM’s duties! Why do we need to thank HIM? And why is this boasted about over and over?

Even during the time of Jesus, He sent out his 70 disciples who did miraculous things, but when they returned, what did they say?

Luke 10:17

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

What was the teaching of Jesus to them? Did He say, tell everyone what amazing things you did?

Luke 10:19-20

I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Even such powerful feats done by the disciples were never boasted about. What Jesus Christ has always taught is HUMILITY.

Like I said, the name of Christ was passed by 7 times in the lesson about the greatness of EVM and his accomplishments. DO NOT FORGET that this is the CHURCH OF CHRIST. Or at least, it used to be. Let me end this quickly so I can get this vile taste out of my mouth on the birthday of the “most important man in the world“. After hearing this lesson, let’s keep in mind what the Bible says:

1 Corinthians 3:20-23

“The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.”

It is not all about EVM and his “great sacrifices” – It is about belonging to Christ and God. It not about his “great accomplishments” – it is making sure our names are written in the book of life. And whatever EVM has done, he should simply say what the Lord has commanded – “We’re worthless servants. We’ve only done our duty.’

PINALAKPAKAN ANG ISANG SINUNGALING!

SCAN nakipagbarilan daw sa mga Pulis?

Mahigit 1 Bilyong Piso raw ang Utang ng Iglesia Ni Cristo® sa mga Bangko (?), ayon sa report ng Rappler

MILLIONS IN LOANS? Documents show that key INC officials were signatories in loan agreements to fund the Ciudad de Victoria project, which includes the Philippine arena.

The late INC executive minister Eraño Manalo once said, 'Ang Iglesia ni Cristo ay walang utang kahit na saang bangko. Ang Iglesia ni Cristo ay hindi nagsasanla ng mga titulo ng lupa para lamang makakuha ng pondo.'

By Katerina Francisco for RAPPLER

Published 12:59 PM, July 27, 2016 
(INC 102 Founding Anniversary)

MANILA, Philippines – It was touted as a world-class structure fit to showcase the growing clout of homegrown Philippine church Iglesia ni Cristo (INC). On Wednesday, July 27, the influential church celebrates its 102nd year.

Two years ago in 2014, the Iglesia opened the Philippine Arena, the world’s largest indoor theater, to widespread attention: an P8.7-billion ($200 million) megastructure that served as the centerpiece of the sprawling 75-hectare Ciudad de Victoria complex in Bulacan.

Conceived, designed, and envisioned as a world-class stage for local and international events, the arena has played host to several events: from the INC’s centennial celebrations, to a concert by local celebrity tandem AlDub, and a performance by American pop superstar Katy Perry.

An expert on sociology of religion, Jayeel Cornelio said of the Iglesia ni Cristo in a previous interview that the Philippine Arena "is an establishment, is a marker, of what they (INC) are right now in the 21st century. They're not a religion in the Philippines. They're a religion in the world.”

Funds for the arena, the INC said, came from the donations of its members, a practice that aligns with the teachings of the church’s second executive minister, the late Eraño “Ka Erdy” Manalo.

In some of his messages to INC members, Ka Erdy had emphasized that the INC should spend within its means, and denounced the idea of the church incurring debts to fund its projects.

Documents obtained by Rappler, however, showed that INC officials had engaged in agreements with two banks, to obtain a P1.137 billion loan to partially fund the construction of Phase 1 of the Ciudad de Victoria project.

According to recitals in the loan documents, Phase 1 of the project includes the construction of a “multi-purpose indoor arena, and certain commercial and retail buildings and structures.”

But several amendments to the agreements showed that INC leaders had asked for additional amounts of up to P3 billion to repay the existing loan.

To secure these loan agreements, at least 61 INC-owned properties – ranging from church sites to residential and agricultural areas in Metro Manila, Nueva Ecija, Rizal, Cavite, and Baguio – were put up as mortgaged collateral.

In addition to this, 317 condominium units in Quezon City, with a total market value of more than P1 billion, were also included as collateral.

Up to P3 billion requested

Based on the documents, the INC was one of the parties in loan agreements entered into by the Maligaya Development Corporation (MDC) with two banks: the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (MBTC) and the Asia United Bank Corporation (AUB).

MDC, the borrower, was represented by Glicerio Santos IV, while the INC was represented by the church’s auditor, Glicerio Santos Jr. (READ: Part 1: Who is Glicerio Santos Jr in the Iglesia ni Cristo?)

Santos Jr was also the signatory for the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation (FMF) and the New Era University (NEU).

According to the memorandum of agreement among MDC, NEU, and INC, the church agreed to turnover the completion of Phase 1 of the Ciudad de Victoria project to NEU, with the participation of MDC.

NEU and MDC were to take part in the “financing, construction and development” of the project.

To finance this, MDC acted as borrower in a March 2014 omnibus loan and security agreement with lender MBTC. The latter agreed to provide P1,137,500,000 to partially fund the construction and development of Phase 1 of the project.

But in July 2014, MDC requested for P750 million from MBTC to repay its existing loan.

A month after that, MDC and MBTC entered into a second amendment to the omnibus agreement. MDC sought up to P3 billion to repay its existing loan, putting the total principal amount to up to P4,887,500,000.

Mortgaged collateral

To secure the loan, MDC and the third party mortgagors (those who mortgage their property) – INC and FMF – provided additional mortgaged collateral, covering 61 INC-owned properties. These properties ranged from church sites to agricultural properties to residential ones, located in various areas in Metro Manila, Nueva Ecija, Cavite, and Baguio.

In addition to this, 317 units owned by the INC in LIG Condominium in Quezon City were included as additional mortgaged collateral. According to the appraisal report, the units have a total market value of P1,000,317,000.

Iglesia Ni Cristo®: "It is not the true one. It is a false church" paratang ng dating kaanib nila

Isang dating kaanib ng INC™, umalis at nagpahayag ng kanyang saloobin at ito ay nagin viral sa inernet.  DITO nalathala ang nasabing artikulo:

As I planned to write this piece I was at the crossroads of my membership with the Iglesia ni Cristo. Shall I stay? Or shall I leave?

I have been an avid member of the Iglesia ni Cristo since the time of Bro. Eraño Manalo. I believed all its teachings that it is the true church. I stayed loyal for more than a decade now, doing my part and giving my all that was required of the members. I had no complains. I felt it was okay so that we could have beautiful chapels that are our pride and joy.
But I am not exactly moneyed: my salary is just enough to give my part. And that explains why I think I am also entitled to say my piece and ask where the money goes. Where do they really go? I am asking this question and other questions because of the recent events that have captured the attention of the world on us. Are we really a true church? Is the Iglesia ni Cristo God’s church?

Now and then, I would hear people attacking the teachings of the church especially the part that says Christ is man. But that did not bother me. I still have time to check on that. Politically, there are those issues like the legitimacy of bloc voting that sometimes a brother is pitted against his family. He cannot vote for his relative but only for the wishes of the Administration or else he gets excommunicated. I had an experience that closely hews to this one. It concerned my father who lost the barangay elections because earlier he did not vote for the choice of the Administration. They pitted someone against him. Poor father! That was painful to me but I still let that pass.

We were told not to watch the programs of Eliseo Soriano or Bro. Eli – that proud minster that left us and now talks a lot against the church. But one fortunate Friday, without intending to, I had the opportunity to watch him in one of his recent Bible Expositions. There, flashed on the screen, I saw our ministers unabashedly flashing a death threat on him. They were saying, if he comes back (to the country), he would be met at the airport; there would be red carpet on the floor. Candles would burn for him and there would be free peanuts. They sealed their talk saying, “To Bro. Eli, peace be with you!”

I was so ashamed of myself. And I thought we drove him away in an effort to gag his mouth. This Bro. Eli was saying at the Exposition that he was forced to leave the country on account of the INC. He explained that events happened fast when he dared our Sugo to have a debate with him. But we did not respond to that challenge, right?

I knew that our brother, Daniel Veridiano, had filed a rape case against Soriano. When that move did not prosper, he went to GMA7 and had himself interviewed. I came to know more about this case because of that Boycott Page of the Ang Dating Daan people in Facebook. From the Long Description of that page, it appeared that they are still smarting from a Second Insult from GMA. They say that despite their complaints of irresponsible reporting, some 3 years after, their sister station aired that controversial interview also. That is why it is a GMA7-11 that the Ang Dating Daan are boycotting, going five years now, they say. Don’t tell me we had nothing to do with this GMA caper. We love to persecute Soriano.

I also learned that Daniel Veridiano is in fact a former member of Soriano’s group. He is called “Puto” over there. They know him as one who took advantage of 14 of his office mates – all sexual offenses. It appears that the INC only used him against Soriano and more. The case was dismissed and then re-filed by virtue of INC influence with Gloria Arroyo, the president that time. That is why the preacher is charging us with panggigipit. This persecution has something to do with political influence, right?

If we center this discussion on Soriano – the man we love to pester just because he keeps examining our beliefs – he would say in his expositions that we are guilty of the following: “pamamaratang, panggigipit, paninira, pagdedemanda, pagtatangka sa buhay, at panguusig sa ADD.” In English, these are “ false accusations, persecutions, defamations, filing cases of false charges, threat on life, and oppression of the Ang Dating Daan.”

Dalawa sa Limang Generals na Sangkot daw sa Droga, INC™?

Larawan mula sa FB Page

Ganagamit daw na Collateral ng INC-1914 ang Ari-arian nito para Makautang ayon sa isang blogger? PART 2

Post mula sa INC Silent No More ni aka Antonio Ebangelista

Hello again friends… for this part of the expose, I thought I’d share yet another set of INC-owned properties that have been used as collateral. This time, they are residential properties.

I share this is for the benefit of brethren who have been provided housing by INC but who may need to find another place to live should the worst happen – INC defaults in its repayment obligations to Metrobank and AUB. I refer to the same MULTI-BILLION BANK LOANS I mentioned in Part 1 of my expose. )

If you recall, I said the loans INC obtained from Metrobank and AUB were secured by hundreds of INC properties. I wasn’t kidding. Among them were residential properties which I will cover in this article. Needless to say, all properties our esteemed leaders used as collateral, including residential, commercial, church sites, and agricultural lands, were bought with members’ hard-earned abuloy.

Presenting… The Central Condominium Towers (formerly LIG Condominium)



http://ligcondominiumquezoncity.blogspot.com/
http://wikimapia.org/815992/Central-Condominium-Former-LIG
https://www.facebook.com/central100condominium/

This is the first of its kind of acquisition made by the Church. It was  initially built for commercial purposes by a company owned by Ja Hoon Ku, a Korean businessman who is also a contractor to the world-renowned Philippine Arena. The condominium is a tad “pricey” at the time, given its location. This explains why it was difficult to sell the units – only a few could afford it. But because of the “strong ties” between Mr. Ja Hoon Ku and Bro. Glicerio “JS” Santos Jr., the Church bought the condominium complex. This came as a shock for a lot of brethren because we could have easily saved a lot of money by building  condominium housing for Ministers and Church workers ourselves, the way it has always been.

You may be wondering why the name Ja Hoon Ku sounds familiar. It should. He’s none other than the notorious multimillion Korean embezzler who was ordered to be deported back to his country. Fortunately for him, his “strong ties” with Bro. Jun Santos paid off.

http://www.philstar.com/metro/2014/10/07/1377294/palace-frees-korean-fugitive
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/125082/sc-rules-vs-inc-contractor-wanted-in-korea
https://incsilentnomore.wordpress.com/2015/04/30/the-proof-of-burden-the-story-of-ja-hoon-ku/

After learning of the controversial INC acquisition, Ministers promptly paid   Bro. Jun Santos a visit for the privilege  of being handpicked to be residents of this luxury condominium complex which, by the way, is complete with a gym and a swimming pool. Most of the “favored ones” got selected, the ones who cheerfully and unquestioningly do the bidding of the Sanggunian.

The Administration  didn’t really have a solid plan for LIG. At one point, it was used as a dormitory for NEU. Offices of  INC’s “covert” group ACTIV can be found there as well as the UNLAD manufacturing arm of INC.  Bro. Matt Pareja’s Loft is also located on the 17th floor penthouse. Bro. Angelo Manalo’s playground can be found on the whole penthouse floor at the other buildings with round-the-clock centralized air-conditioning.

So let’s a take a look at a couple of the encumbered condo units.  We won’t be able to show all of them. A total of 317 units were used as collateral! However, feel free to visit your local Registry of Deeds and request a certified true copy of whatever CCT you are interested in.

Toward the end of this article, there is a link to a schedule that identifies the condo units that were used as collateral, along with corresponding CCT’s, area in square meters, and appraised value of each property.  If you live in this complex, I’m sure you’d be interested in that schedule.

1. CCT-004-2011006168

Here’s page 1:


These are the 2 pages that show Encumbrances:

Kung bias ang ABS-CBN sabi ng mga INC™, pinaka-BIAS ang NET25 ng Iglesia Ni Cristong® tatag ni Felix Manalo!

Nagsisisigaw ang mga kaanib ng Iglesia Ni Cristong tatag ni Felix Manalo noong 1914 sa harap ng DOJ sa Maynila nitong nakaraang araw na naging source of news naman ng ating mga mamamahayag.

Tiba-tiba ang ABS-CBN, GMA7, ABC5, PTV4 at iba pang mga international news services sa balitang #IglesiaNiCristo pero ang NET25 na pag-aari ng Iglesia Ni Manalo ay halos papuri at pagmamayabang lamang ang naririnig sa kanila.

Dahil sa taas ng tensiyon, ang mga lumahok sa rally nila ay nanakit ng mamamahayag ng ABS-CBN na ang sigaw pa ay "Bias! Bias"!

ABS-CBN cameraman assaulted at Iglesia ni Cristo EDSA protest – report
August 29, 2015 3:15am

Unidentified assailants reportedly mauled ABS-CBN cameraman Melchor Pinlac while he was filming the Iglesia ni Cristo protest at the EDSA Shrine.

Pinlac said that he was grabbed by the neck, then he was punched on the jaw, the body, and the back of the neck, according to a dzMM radio report. All the while, the crowd around him was chanting “biased, biased.”

According to Super Radyo dzBB, their reporter Olan Bola was shoved around during the encounter while trying to appease protesters. Bola was not injured. — GMA News

Pero sa totoo lang, sino kaya ang BIAS? Ang ABS-CBN or ang NET25 na pag-aari ng INC™?

Sa natatandaan ko, WALA man sa kanilang mga journalist ang nag-COVER sa PAPAL VISIT noong buwan ng Enero sa kabila ng pagparito ng maraming mga international journalist tulad ng CNN ng US, BBC ng UK, PressTV ng Iran, Al-Jazeera ng Qatar, France24 ng France, RT ng Russia at marami pang iba.

Pero ang lokal na lokal na TV Station na NET25, para silang hindi na natira sa Pilipinas at nagbobolahan silang pumuri sa kani-kanilang mga balita na wala namang relevance noong panahong iyon.

Tama nga ang sabi ni. G. Philip Lustre Jr., na ang Iglesia Ni Cristo raw ay "epitome of religious bigotry and ethnocentrism; its xenophobia..."

Babagsak na nga ba ang Iglesia Ni Cristo® na tatag ni Felix Manalo?

Matindi ang ginawang perwisyo ng mga kaanib ng INC™ na tatag ni Felix Manalo nitong mga nakaraang mga araw.  Daglian ang mga pangyayari.

Buwang ng Abril, nagsimulang maglahad ng mga anumalya ang isang kaanib ng INC™ sa pangalang Antonio Ebangelista sa kanyang blog na pinamagatang "Iglesia Ni Cristo Silent No More" (http://iglesianicristosilentnomore.wordpress.com).

Maraming naniwala kay Antonio Ebangelista, ngunit sila'y ITINIWALAG agad agad ng walang pagdinig.  Ang ilan ay natakot. Ayaw nang magsalita o magkomento.  Ang ilan ay gumawa ng mga fake accounts para lamang ituloy ang laban na inumpisahan ni Antonio Ebangelista.

Habang namamayagpag ng mahigit 2 milyong hits na ang blog ni Antonio Ebangelista na naging sanhi ng pagbabangayan ng mga kaanib nila, ang Media ay nagbabasa na sa mga pangyayari. Di kalauna'y biglang nawala ito. Hinacked pala di umano ng ACTIV, isang grupo raw ng mga INC™ IT experts.

Hindi ito naging dahilan kay AE upang mawalan ng pag-asa kaya't gumawa ulit ng blog si Ka AE (http://incsilentnomore.wordpress.com). Lalong matunog ang usapin tungkol sa mga akusasyong maraming mga itniwalag na Ministro ang nawawala o kaya'y hindi alam kung sinong dumukot.

Hanggang pumotk sa YouTube ang panawagan ng Ka Tenny at ng Ka Angelo (ina at kapatid ng Ka Eduardo V. Manalo) na sila'y ginigipit na raw ng Sanggunian (Council of Advisers) sa pamilya ng namayapang Ka Eraño.

Naging hayagan na ngayon ang talamak na hidwaan at kabuktutan sa INC™ ni Manalo. Kaliwa't kanan ang akusasyon ng pagmamalabis ng mga Ministro nito, sa pangunguna ni Ka GLICERIO SANTOS JR. o mas kilala sa pangalang JUN SANTOS.

Nariyan di umano ang nakabili sila ng AirBus na eroplano (pero ibinenta pagkatapos na maisiwalat ang tunkol dito).

Nariyan di umano ang pagtitinda ng INC™ ng mga ari-arian at lupain. Ang malaking gastos na ginugugol sa Philippine Arena na hindi naman kumikita.

Nariyan di umano ang kaliwat-kanang tiwalagan.

At ang panghuli ay ang malawak na backlash ng mga kaanib sa kanilang abuluyan.

August 25, 2015, naghain ang isa sa mga itiniwalag na Ministro na si G. Isaias Samson Jr, asawa at anak, ng reklamo sa DOJ laban sa mga Sanggunian.

Final Draft Complaint-ITS

Ang ginawa raw ng Sanggunian, nagpakalat ng text, at sinabing huhulihin daw si Ka Eduardo etc. kaya't dumagsa ang mga INC™ sa DOJ sa Manila at di kalauna'y sa EDSA Shrine at Shaw Boulevard na IKINAINIS ng mamamayan!

At dahil sa ginawa ng INC ni Manalo sa lansangan, dumami ang nainis sa INC maging ang mga pulitiko na nagsubok sumipsip sa grupo ay nakatikim ng maanghang na katotohanan na HINDI na sila suportado ng netizens.

Kaya't ang tanong, babagsak na kaya ang INC ni Manalo? O kung sakaling maka-survive, mahihirapan silang muling bumangon sapagkat sirang-sira na sila sa mga Pilipino at sa buong mundo.

Ganyan ang Iglesiang tatag ng tao. Sa pera namumuhunan kaya't sa pera rin nahuhumaling at nahuhulog.

Balik na sa tunay na Iglesia ni Cristo, ang Iglesia Katolika na sa pasimula ay siyang tunay na Iglesia ni Cristo (Pasugo Abril 1966, p. 46).