INC church members accused of kidnapping, murder in Philippines - The Fifth Estate

Then an unidentified assailants murdered Fr. Richmond Nilo for being critical of INC®?

Rappler: Expelled INC member gets refugee status in Canada

Imagine if an ex-Catholic member would seek refuge in other countries because his life is in danger. And those who wants his life are the very same persons who call themselves "followers of the real church"? What a hypocrite. This is why Menorca's case is UNIQUE to the Iglesia Ni Cristo® - 1914. It no longer embodies the Christian moral precepts that is a prescription for being a follower of Christ! That's why the INC™ can't blame non-INC™ for calling them "cult"!  -CD2000 [Source: Rappler / You can read also at ABS-CBN]

Canadian authorities say Lowell Menorca II 'is a person in need of protection from a risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment and a risk to his life' 

ARRESTED. Ex-Iglesia ni Cristo minister Lowell Menorca is secured by police officers after he was presented a warrant of arrest for libel on January 20, 2016. File photo by Lito Boras/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – Citing threats to his life, Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) has granted refugee status to expelled Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) member Lowell Menorca II. 

Rappler on Friday, January 26, obtained a redacted copy of the Canadian authorities' decision on Menorca's case. Canada's CBC News reported on the same decision on Thursday, January 25. 

Napanood sa Eagle News ang Pamimigay ng Kaanib ng INC™ sa Santo Papa ng Magasing Pasugo

Nagulantang at nagsaya ang mga kaanib ng INC™ ni Felix Manalo sa balitang 'TINANGGAP" ng SANTO PAPA ang kanilang magasing PASUGO nang siya ay bumisia sa Roma Tre University noong nakaraang Biernes (Peb. 17, 2017. Napapanood DITO ang kaganapan.)

Heto ang nalathala sa kanilang Eagle News Facebook Page na accessible pa mga mula kahapon hanggang kaninang 7:00AM (Feb. 18, 2017)

 Ngunit bandang 10:00 AM ngayong araw ng Linggo ika-18 ng Pebrero 2017 ay ganito na ang nakalagay sa kanilang Eagle News website "ERROR 404"!

At dahil hindi naman natin alam kung bakit nila INALIS SA KANILANG WEBSITE ang balitan iyan, narito po sa ibaba ang buong video courtesy of CTV.

RUNNING TIME 1:44:02  Makikita natin kung paano tinanggap ng Santo Papa ang magasing PASUGO at ibinigay sa kaniyang mga Swiss Guards.

RUNNING TIME 1:44:06 Makikita ang pagpapaliwanag ng kaanib ng INC sa Santo Papa na ang INC™ raw ay isang "IGLESIA SA PILIPINAS" (malinaw po yan).

RUNNING TIME 1:44:16 Ang pagkaunawa ng Santo Papa ay ang IGLESIA KATOLIKA sa PILIPINAS, kaya't naibulalas niya na sa Pilipinas ay tawag sa kanya ay "LOLO KIKO" na ikinatuwa naman ng kaanib ng INC™.

RUNNING TIME 1:44:21 Namamalas sa mukha ng kaanib ng INC™ ang KAGALAKAN sa NAKASALAMUHA at NAKAUSAP niya harap-harapan ang itinuturing nilang "ANTI-CRISTO". Nakapagtataka na HINDI MAN LANG NIYA NAGAWANG sabihan siya at ng mga TAO roon na ang SANTO PAPA ng TUNAY at NAG-IISANG IGLESIA NI CRISTO ay na sinsabi nilang "NATALIKOD NA GANAP" ay ang ANTI-CRISTO!

RUNNING TIME 1:44:28 WALA NA ANG MAGASIN SA KAMAY NG SANTO PAPA!

RAPPLER: 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.

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

The condominium certificates of title for several units in LIG stated that the units were mortgaged to guarantee the P3-billion loan from MBTC.

These were also the same set of properties mortgaged for a P2 billion loan – this time from AUB.

In March 2014, MDC also entered into an agreement with AUB for a similar purpose: to request P1.137 billion to partially fund the construction of the Ciudad de Victoria phase 1 project.

A subsequent amendment to the agreement had MDC requesting for an additional P750 million to repay its existing loan with AUB. A second amendment asked for an additional amount of up to P2 billion, putting the total principal amount to up to P3,887,500,000.

In its agreements with AUB, the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company-Trust Banking Group acted as collateral agent, with the INC, FMF, and other registered owners of the mortgaged collateral as third party mortgagors.

Separate mortgage supplements with AUB and with MBTC also identified two agricultural properties in Barangay Maligaya, San Miguel, Bulacan as part of mortgaged collateral.

Both properties listed several INC ministers as owners. In one of them, the names of Benefrido C. Santiago, Bienvenido C. Santiago, Glicerio B. Santos Jr, Arnel A. Tumanan, and Lowell C. Menorca were mentioned.

Lowell C. Menorca is the father of former INC evangelical worker Lowell Menorca II, who fled the Philippines with his family citing alleged harassment from the church leadership.

In an email to Rappler, the younger Menorca said that he only learned about the Bulacan property fairly recently. He also said that his father had acted as a “custodian” of the property.

“As far as I know, it was under internal arrangement within the Church Administration and the INC Legal Department because he never claimed it to be his nor profited from it, he was probably just a custodian of the property as a trustee of the Executive Minister,” he said.

Menorca added that it was “common practice” for Sanggunian ministers to be named as owners of church properties, because they were among those trusted by the executive minister.

Letter from EVM

While the loan agreements made it clear that it was the two Santoses who were signatories, the loans were made with the knowledge of the current executive minister, Eduardo Manalo.

In a notarized resolution dated February 10, 2014, Manalo acknowledged that the INC had entered into a memorandum of agreement with NEU and MDC for the Ciudad de Victoria project, and that the INC and NEU have agreed to “give the required collateral securities to secure such financing from the Project lenders.”

Corporate Resolution No. 02-2014 further stated that MDC has proposed to secure “one or more loan and credit facilities” from banks to obtain the aggregate principal amount of up to P3.5 billion to partially finance the project.

It added that the INC has agreed to provide the required collateral securities and letters of support for MDC after having “independently satisfied itself that it will derive direct and indirect economic benefit from the arrangements contemplated in the agreements for the Loan Facilities and that the execution by it of said agreements will result in corporate benefits to it.”

This resolution from Manalo showed that he was aware of, and approved entering into the loan agreements, even as his late father had denounced the idea of the church incurring any debts.

In one of his speeches, Ka Erdy declared that the church has never started on a project without first ensuring that it had enough funds.

“Pagka mayroong ipagagawa ang Iglesia, tinitingnan muna namin ang kabang yaman, tinatanong ko muna ang may hawak ng pananalapi, kaya ba ng Iglesia? Nung ipagawa ang templo, wala kayong narinig, wala kaming isinerkular, ‘Mga kapatid, umabuloy kayo para doon sa ginagawang templo,’ hindi po,” he said.

(Whenever the Iglesia was planning to have something built, we first look at our treasury, we ask if the Iglesia can afford it. When we had the temple constructed, you did not hear anything from us, we did not issue circulars asking you to donate for the temple.)

“Hindi kami humingi ng karagdagan sapagka't hindi namin sinimulan ang bagay na ‘yun na hindi sapat ang pananalapi ng Iglesia…Hindi namin kayo ginambala, at lalo naming hindi isinanla ang mga propriedad, mga lupa ng Iglesia,” he added.

(We did not ask for additional contributions, because we do not start any project if the Iglesia does not have sufficient funds for it…We did not bother you, and we did not mortgage the properties and lands of the Iglesia.)

In another message, he 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."

(The Iglesia ni Cristo has no debts to any bank. The Iglesia ni Cristo does not mortgage land titles just to obtain funds.)

Squandered church properties?

While it is normal for corporations to secure bank loans for various uses, the issue for several INC members lies in the fact that the church had once proudly declared that it owed no bank any debts.

No less than Ka Erdy, once the church's highest official, had warned against it, saying in one of his messages that the moment someone incurs debt, "buwisit na ang kanyang buhay."

One Iglesia member said that the INC's involvement in these loan agreements is a big deal for members because it runs counter to Ka Erdy's teachings for the church not to spend beyond its means.

"In the past administration, it was a rule that the church does not borrow money...For the members, they're not used to the fact that the Iglesia has debts. So when this came out, we were shocked," she said.

She added that whispers of the controversy had even started to affect members' donations, with ministers taking to the podium week after week to encourage members to give more offerings.

In the past, she said, one would not even hear the clink of coins in the collection basket, because members were putting in paper bills. But it's not the case these days.

"We're concerned about the church's funds. Utos sa amin ang pagbibigay, pag-aabuloy. Pero papaano kami tutupad sa utos kung nilulustay ang pera? (We are commanded to give offerings to the church. But how we can we follow this if the money is being wasted?)"

Although the INC is not the direct borrower in the loan agreements, she pointed out that some of the church's highest officials are still involved.

Another Iglesia member also said that there seems to be more pressure on members to help with the church's expenses.

"Now we're being asked to chip in, that's very unusual. And when you connect the dots, it seems that perhaps we do have debts. A church is supposed to be non-profit, but you see the Philippine Arena that's not raking in profits. How do you sustain it?"

While it is not clear if the MDC had received and made full use of the billions it requested from the banks, the documents showed that church leaders requested at least P1.137 billion to partially finance the construction of the Philippine Arena and other related development included in Phase 1 of the Ciudad de Victoria project.

The arena, constructed at a staggering cost of P8.7 billion, was envisioned to be a prime venue for concerts, sports events, and conferences. It even has 8 private rooms, offering VIP guests with special viewing decks and plush theater seats. (FAST FACTS: Iglesia ni Cristo's Philippine Arena)

So far, the arena – located north of the Philippines’ capital region – has hosted only a handful of big-ticket events. Based on its website, its latest event was the Maligaya Summer Blast, held last May.

The arena has also been used for some of the church’s evangelical missions and activities.

An INC insider also said that some of the mortgaged property were housing for church ministers, but added that these ministers have no choice but to stay silent about their concerns, for fear that they might be kicked out of their residential units.

Rappler has repeatedly sought comment from the INC, but has yet to receive a reply as of posting.

For his part, Menorca criticized how the church’s properties were “squandered” under the current leadership.

“It is so saddening that after all these years, all the properties and monumental successes of the Church under the previous Executive Minister, were shamefully squandered away after decades of careful and meticulous stewardship,” he said.

He added, “We continue to hope and pray that the whole truth will be revealed, not to further humiliate the church but to finally expose the wrongdoings inside the church administration in order to put a stop to it and hopefully restore the church to its pristine condition.” – Rappler.com

German INC™ Head Deacon Defected

Jorg Ney, 2nd Head Deacon from Germany

CBC Investigates: Filipino man claims death threats from members of powerful Christian church

By Eric Rankin, Gavin Fisher, CBC News Posted: Jun 14, 2016

Lowell Menorca says he fears persecution from the Iglesia Ni Cristo. They say his claims are 'fabrications''

Lowell Menorca holds the image he claims a family member found on his car in the Philippines. He says the note prompted him to leave the country, and he is now seeking refugee status in Canada. (Gavin Fisher/CBC)

A Filipino man has applied for refugee status in Canada claiming the lives of his young family have been threatened by members of what he calls a "cult-like" Christian church in the Philippines — and he alleges to CBC News he's still being stalked in Metro Vancouver.

Lowell Menorca, 39, a former un-ordained minister in the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), or Church of Christ, brought his allegations to the CBC in his first major English language interview.

His case has generated headline news coverage in the Philippines.

Iglesia Ni Cristo is the third largest faith in the Philippines after Catholicism and Islam, and it has hundreds of churches around the world, including many in Canada.

The INC preaches these are "the last days," and only its members will be saved. According to the church's doctrines, to be expelled means losing your salvation.

Menorca says the INC expelled him after a split developed among descendants of the man who founded the church. He says he was suspected of being an anonymous blogger who had accused INC leaders of overspending and corruption.

Menorca believes the leadership has wasted vast amounts of money on things such as a private Airbus jetliner (since sold) and the construction of the Philippine Arena, the biggest covered stadium in the world, built to celebrate the INC's centennial in 2014.

He alleges he was illegally detained by Church officials, arrested by police and then hit with more than 40 lawsuits for libel for speaking out about his alleged treatment from the church.

"This is an orchestrated effort by the church to intimidate me," says Menorca, "to put me behind bars, ultimately to silence me."

Menorca says a family member found this note on his car in the Philippines on March 6, the night before he was to appear at a court hearing against the INC. (Lowell Menorca)

But officials with the Iglesia Ni Cristo call Menorca's claims "fabricated" and "devious."

They say he's fleeing prosecution, not persecution, in the Philippines, and they expect the Canadian government to deny his refugee application.

The INC flew its San Francisco-based supervising attorney to Vancouver to answer the CBC's questions about the case.

Iglesia Ni Cristo supervising attorney Rommel
V. San Pedro says that Menorca's claims about
the church are "fabricated." (CBC)

"It's so obvious to see that he's fabricated this whole story", says Rommel V. San Pedro.

"In the end, the Canadian government is going to see through all of these allegations, and see there's no threat here."

"We can tell you there is no corruption inside the Iglesia Ni Cristo."

But Menorca claims he has proof church supporters have threatened his life and the lives of his pregnant wife and two-year-old child.

Alleged Threat to Daughter

Menorca's battle with the church came to a head three months ago in the Philippines.

On March 6 — the night before he was to appear at a court hearing against the INC — he claims a family member discovered a photo on the windshield of his car, parked at a safe house.

The family portrait, possibly lifted from Menorca's social media postings, had a red "x" through the face of his two-year-old daughter Yurie — and the warning "March 7, 2016, Say Goodbye."

It was signed "Mandirigma," Tagalog for "warriors"— a term often used online by some who purport to be defenders of the church.

"When I saw it, it literally crumbled my world" says a tearful Menorca.

"I really didn't want to stand by and watch if they're really going to push through with it, so that moment we decided that we would leave the country."

That night, he flew his family to Vietnam.

But he claims the intimidation continued.

Within hours, Menorca says photographs were posted on a Facebook site that appears to target those expelled from the INC, showing his family on the plane and at the airport terminal.

Comments in Tagalog and English accompanied the pictures. Among them: "You can run but you can't hide" and "You will not be able to escape, you are an animal, you are evil!!!"

Intimidation continues in B.C.: Menorca

Menorca said his family next fled to Thailand, seeking a safe haven.

But while he had a valid Visa to the US, his daughter and his pregnant wife Jingky did not.

Menorca says he eventually made the difficult decision to board a flight to Seattle that routed through Vancouver. When he landed on Canadian soil he immediately approached immigration officials and sought refugee status in the hope he can bring his wife and child here.

Nakatanggap ng Death Threat ang Isang "Catholic Faith Defender" sa Social Media

ADAM LUCAS

Antonio Ebangelista: INC Properties Used as Collaterial to Secure Multi-Billion Loans

Source: INC Silent No More

Finally… the proof that everyone has been waiting for is here.  The infamous documents that will prove what I have been saying all along.  No more Abangan… The time has finally come.

But before that…, do allow me a moment to gloat. After all, I got bashed a lot for my FB posts. Some even went all out and created an entire blog site in my honor! On and on they went and called me names, really vicious names. In the future, make sure “liar” ain’t one of them, eh? Ref. https://youtu.be/KltsajVjgDA

Access the Truth, Iglesia ni Cristo blogspot, OWE ministers and followers, did you really think I was just bluffing?  Why did you think no one took me up on my challenge? I could wait for that elusive bank waiver until I grow roots and it still wouldn’t come.  Know why?  Because the loans are real, as everyone else will see now.  I can tell you who didn’t think of my jabs in FB as bluff – the people who took out the loans themselves!  Come on, people… You know who you are. I was holding out, waiting for you to come to your senses to avoid this embarrassment. But you chose to keep silent. You chose to ignore. And now, my patience has run out.

In all seriousness, my findings did not make me happy. Actually, I almost felt sick reading these loan documents. I felt as though the Administration has sold the very soul of the Church. They knew what they have done, yet they continued to deny, mislead, and deceive the brethren. Do they think they could take their secrets to their grave?  Do they think they could hide them from God? In a verse read during a recent lesson where they try to intimidate the thinking voters who plan to silently express their defiance of the “sold” bloc vote on Election Day, it says:

Read on and let’s confirm to whom this verse really applies.

Evidence of Church Properties Used as Collateral

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

Take note that this property was purchased during the time of God’s Last Messenger, Bro. Felix Y. Manalo back in 1944 and preserved by his successor, Bro. Erano G. Manalo.  The property is now worth close to P10 million!  Under the Administration of the current Executive Minister, Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo, this property, along with many others, are at risk of foreclosure if obligations under the loans with Metrobank and AUB secured by this property are not paid in full and on time by INC!

This is the Encumbrances Page on this property.

Let‘s take a closer look.  Here’s the top portion of the Encumbrances Page:

This tells us this property was used to guarantee a principal obligation for THREE BILLION PESOS (P3,000,000,000) with METROPOLITAN BANK & TRUST COMPANY and that this is based on a loan agreement called Second Amendment to Omnibus Loan and Security Agreement among 6 parties:

1. Maligaya Development Corporation,
2. Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company,
3. Iglesia ni Cristo,
4. Felix Manalo Foundation, Inc.,
5. New Era University
6. Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company – Trust Banking Group.

“THREE BILLION?! Why did we need so much money? What about our offerings? Why did we have to borrow money? We never did that before! Why are so many companies involved in the loan? Why did we have to mortgage this and other properties?”

De Quito IS an Iglesia Ni Cristo member, isn't she?

Deguito grants an interview to broadcaster Anthony Taberna and gets Ferdie Topacio as her lawyer during the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing. Many think she's Iglesia.

Rappler.com
Published April 02, 2016
Updated April 13, 2016

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio (INC™ Member) with Maia De Quito at the Senate Hearing of US81 million money laundering case against De Quito. What binds them two is their affiliation in the Iglesia Ni Cristo®. (Photo Source: InterAction)

RCBC's Maia Deguito: Who said she's Iglesia?

The "kapatid" community is abuzz over the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) money-laundering mess.

Not a few noticed that RCBC branch manager Maia Santos-Deguito was quick to grant an interview to broadcaster Anthony Taberna of dzMM Teleradyo in the second week of March. In that interview, she told him there was no hold departure order against her and that she was told Immigration staff needed to speak with her.

It was surely an unfortunate and embarrassing, even traumatic, experience to be asked to deplane after being comfortably seated and settled. If you recall, she was with her husband and son, who was supposed to be gifted with a trip to Tokyo Disneyland.

After that Teleradyo interview, Deguito appeared in the Senate with Ferdie Topacio, an ardent admirer of Adolf Hitler as historical figure, and lawyer of celebrities, including the former First Gentleman. The lover of jazz, it turned out, was Deguito's lawyer too, at least for the Senate hearings. He was seen coaching her and discreetly whispering to her, guiding her on what to say in response to questions from senators during hearings of the blue ribbon committee investigating the Bangladesh Bank heist.

Taberna is the nephew of former Iglesia minister Isaias Samson Jr who accused the INC leadership of corruption and who has since left the country. Recall that Taberna's newly opened coffee shop on Visayas Avenue was fired upon by unidentified armed men in late August 2015. Police recovered at least 15 empty shells of a .45-caliber gun but were unable to determine the motive for the pre-dawn attack.

Add one plus one plus one and you'd be quick to conclude that the one and only thing that binds Taberna, Topacio and Deguito together is that they belong to the same church: the influential but now fragmented Iglesia ni Cristo (INC). But wait. Verify, verify, verify. Even among Iglesia circles there was loose talk that Deguito was able to get Topacio because they belong to the same locale.

We checked with Ferdie Topacio himself and here's what he said: "Maia is Roman Catholic. The rosary she had around her wrist should be a dead giveaway. I'm from the locale of Better Living, Metro Manila South."

Asked how he ended up being her lawyer, he texted, "I'm sorry; that's privileged." This should put to rest speculation about the Iglesia links, no matter how tempting it may be to entertain the thought. – Chay F. Hofileña/Rappler.com

THEY HAVE BEEN LYING ALL THE WAY! MAIA DE QUITO IS AN INC™ MEMBER!

Lowell Menorca II at ang Kaniyang Pahayag Ukol sa Kaniyang Pag-alis sa Bansa

Ang ginigipit na pamilya ni Lowell Menorca II (Photo Source: Manila Bulletin)

Hindi layunin ng post na ito na siraan ang pamunuan ng Iglesia Ni Cristo (1914) bagkus nais lamang nating matulungan si G. Lowell Menorca II na maiparating sa mga tao ang kanyang saloobin ukol sa pangambang hinaharap ng kanyang pamilya matapos na siya ay mapagbintangang kasama raw siya ng may ari ng isang blog na si Antonio Ebangelista.  Dalangin natin na sa lahat ng mga NAAAPI at nawawalan ng pag-asa ay masumpungan nawa nila ang tanging pagkalinga at paggabay ng ating Diyos at Panginoong Jesus na siya lamang ang maaaring takbuhan ng mga walang kumakalinga. -CD2000

READ: Former INC member Lowell Menorca's statement
ABS-CBN News
Posted at 03/10/16 9:38 PM

Lowell Menorca II, a former Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) member, issued a statement Thursday, days after he and his family left for Vietnam last Sunday.

Menorca was earlier reported missing. Menorca; his wife, Jinky; and daughter, Yurie Keiko were supposed to attend the hearing before the appellate court's 7th Division where INC lawyers were supposed to continue their cross-examination of Menorca on the latter's writ of amparo petition against INC leaders led by Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo.

The Menorcas fled the Philippines allegedly due to death threats, including one against their daughter, according to his lawyer, Trixie Cruz-Angeles.

"It scared him so much that he proceeded to the airport so that he could secure his family," Angeles said.

The INC camp said it is exploring legal options following Menorca's travel to Vietnam, including asking the court to strike out his testimony from record.

INC collaborating counsel Moises Tolentino Jr. said they were surprised by Menorca's departure, adding that he was supposed to cross-examine him Monday morning.

The case stems from the alleged abduction of Menorca and his family and their househelp Abegail Yanson by the INC because of alleged suspicions he is behind the "Antonio Ebanghelista" blog that has been posting on social media against supposed corruption within the religious sect.

This is Menorca's full statement Thursday:

"Ako po ay sumusulat sa inyo ngayon hindi bilang isang dating Manggagawa sa Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) na handang harapin ang anumang banta at panganib dahil sa paninindigan na isiwalat ang ginawa ng Pamamahala ng INC sa amin simula sa pagpapadukot sa Sorsogon, pagpapakulong sa Dasmarinas, Cavite para sa isang kinathang kaso, pagpapa-detain sa amin sa INC Central compound at patuloy na pangha-harass sa amin, na dahil dito nakahanda akong ibuwis ang aking kalayaan at buhay para lamang maninidigan at ipaglaban ang katotohanan. Ngayon po ay sumusulat ako sa inyo bilang isang pangulo ng sambahayan na labis na nangangamba para sa kaligtasan ng kaniyang pamilya.

Bakit nga ba ako natulak sa pagpapasya na lumikas ng bansa sa kabila ng nakaambang panganib na maharang sa airport at maipakulong na muli?

Sariwang-sariwa pa sa aming alaala ang karimarimarim na tagpo nang kami ay pasukin sa mismong compound ng Kapilya ng Iglesia Ni Cristo sa Lokal ng Butag, Sorsogon noong July 16, 2015, kung saan mga armadong pulis ng Quezon City Police District (QCPD) pa ang pumasok katulong ang mga kinasangkapan nilang mga Ministro sa pamumuno ni Ka Benefrido Santiago, dating Sanggunian, upang kami ay dukutin. Iyon ang unang pagkakataon na inilagay nila sa panganib ang aking pamilya sapagkat maging ang aking maybahay na si Jingky, ang anak naming si Yurie at ang aming kasambahay na si Abby ay pinilit nilang sumama sa kanila kahit pa labag sa kanilang kagustuhan. Sinamsam din nilang lahat ng aming mga personal na mga kagamitan. Sa kabila ng kanilang paggamit sa kapulisan upang gumawa ng isang aktibidad na labag sa batas, nagawa pa nilang pasamain ang aking pangalan sa mga tao sa Lokal doon sa pamamagitan ng pagkakalat ng mga kasinungalingan laban sa amin. Pinatunayan lamang nilang muli na kaya nilang gawin ang kahit anong gusto nila at walang makapipigil sa kanila.

Nagawa nilang ipakulong ako sa Dasmariñas City Jail gamit ang isa pang kaanib sa Iglesia Ni Cristo na kasalukuyang City Prosecutor ng Dasmariñas. Pagkilapas ng siyam (9) na araw ay pinakawalan din ako dahil sa dumarami na ang media na pumupunta doon na gusto akong ma-interview at malaman ang totoong nangyari sa akin. Akala ko ay makakapiling ko na ang aking pamilya at malaya na kaming makapamumuhay ng payapa. Subalit sa halip na kami ay palayain, pinalabas nilang ako ang may kahilingan na kami ay kupkupin ng Pamamahala sa loob ng Central, kaya sa loob ng ilang buwan ay nagawa nilang i-detain kami sa loob mismo ng Central ng labag sa aming kagustuhan at karapatan. Pinabantayan kami sa mga gwardya saan man kami naroroon at ilang beses silang gumawa ng mga eksena para palabasin na normal lang ang aming buhay at hindi kami illegally detained. Dahil sa kawalan namin ng kapangyarihan sa aming kalayaan at kalagayan, sumunod kami sa lahat ng kanilang kagustuhan at sinabi ang anumang gusto nilang ipasabi sa amin. Sa madaling salita ay nagpanggap kami na kumakampi na sa kanila para lamang tigilan na nila ang interrogations nila sa akin patungkol sa mga taong nasa likod ng blog writer na si Antonio Ebangelista. Nagmistulang parang bangungot ang aming buhay dahil sa kabila ng katotohanang binibigyan nila kami ng pagkain at iba pang pangangailangan namin subalit nananatili kami sa isang presong may gintong rehas sa loob ng banal na lugar ng Central. Mahirap itong maunawaan ng ibang tao lalo na ng mga taong wala direktang kabatiran ukol dito kaya kung anu-anong kasinungalingan ang ipinakakalat nila sa mga kapatid para lamang pasinungalingan ang katotohanan. Kaya marami ang mabilis na tumalon sa konklusyon na naninira lamang daw ako at nanggugulo samantalang kahit saang anggulo nating titingnan, kami ang biktima at hindi sila. Ang nakakapagtaka pa ay lahat ng mga taong may pinakamaraming opinyon at nasasabi ukol sa mga bagay na iyon ay ang mga taong wala naman sa mga pagkakataong iyon at lalong walang personal na kaalaman ukol doon.

BREAKING: Ex-Iglesia minister Menorca already out of PHL –Immigration Bureau

Photo Source: NewsInfoInquirer

Following alleged death threats to him and his family, former Iglesia Ni Cristo minister Lowell Menorca has left the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration said on Monday.

In a tweet, GMA News' Jun Veneracion quoted BI spokesperson Nikki Reyes as saying that Menorca, who had accused Iglesia Ni Cristo officials of illegally detaining him and his family, left Sunday.

"Immigration Spokesperson Nikki Reyes confirms that ex-INC minister Lowell Menorca has left PHL yesterday," read Veneracion's tweet.

The BI did not indicate Menorca's destination.

Earlier in the day, Menorca's legal counsel Trixie Cruz-Angeles manifested before the Court of Appeals that Menorca had told her over the phone Sunday night that they were at the airport ready to depart.

The lawyer said Menorca, his wife Jinky Otsuka-Menorca and their daughter were intially stopped at the airport by officials due to a hold departure order.

Angeles, however, said Menorca later informed her the family was finally allowed to leave.

Reyes told reporters that Menorca took a Cebu Pacific flight that left for Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam at 10:45 p.m. —Mark Merueñas/KBK, GMA News

Iglesia Ni Cristo's Online Vigilantes called "MANDIRIGMA" starts Attacking ex-members!

IGLESIA NI CRISTO®'s ONLINE VIGILANTES called "MANDIRIGMA" are in FULL SWING against former INC™ members. Mr. Lowell Menorca II and his family was ATTACKED online! 

Please pray for Mr. Menorca and all those who are persecuted and threatened by the INC™ leadership.

Source: Inquirer.net

Ex-INC minister who accused sect leaders goes missing — lawyer

Former Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) Minister Lowell Menorca II and his family are missing, his counsel said before the Court of Appeals.

Menorca was supposed to appear before the Court of Appeals for the continuation of his cross examination on the writ of amparo petition filed by his brother Anthony and sister-in-law Jungko.

READ: Expelled minister crosses swords with Iglesia lawyer | Ousted Iglesia ni Cristo leader bares murder plot

Named respondents are INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo and members of the sect’s Sanggunian, Radel Cortez, Bienvenido Santiago, and Rolando Esguerra.

The petition was filed last Oct. 15, 2015 after Menorca and his family were taken by alleged INC members after he was being suspected to be Anthony Ebanghelista, the blogger writing against INC.

During Monday’s hearing, Menorca’s counse

l Atty. Trixie Angeles said last Sunday evening the last communication she had with Menorca was at 8pm Sunday.

Angeles said Menorca called her from the airport.

“He informed us that they received a death threat,” Angeles told the Court.

The death threat was sent using Menorca’s family photo with a March 7 date, face of his daughter marked with an “X”. It was placed on the windshield of his vehicle.

“It scared him so much that he proceeded to the airport so that he could secure his family,” Angeles told reporters.

At the airport, she said Menorca informed him past 7 in the evening Sunday that he has a warrant of arrest and a hold departure order, meaning they cannot leave the country.

Angeles said Menorca informed her that he was held by Immigration officials supposedly to be turned over to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and then brought to Camp Crame.

At 8 in the evening, Angeles said he received another call from Menorca informing her that they have been allowed to leave.

“He called us and told us that he was being allowed to leave to which we expressed our reservations because if there is an HDO, it would not be possible. Nevertheless he promised to call us no matter how things turned out and he has not been reachable ever since,” Angeles said.

Angeles said she could not also reach Menorca’s brother Anthony and sister-in-law Jungko.

INC lawyers questioned why Menorca’s lawyer was not able to communicate with him after 8pm Sunday when Menorca was able to post on his Facebook account 6 hours ago.

“I am expressing suspicion as to the authenticity of this claim,” Att. Patricia Ann Prodigalidad said.

Prodigalidad was referring to the photo of the death threat the Menorca’s family received where the former minister appealed to leave his daughter alone.

The Court of Appeals reset the case on March 21 and 28.

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/771305/ex-inc-minister-who-accused-sect-leaders-goes-missing-lawyer#ixzz42CE1fx5s
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

"MANDIRIGMA" -- Iglesia Ni Cristo's latest Online Vigilantes?

If this is true, non-INC™ members especially Catholics who are critical to the Iglesia Ni Cristo's fragile governance should be clever enough to ensure their personal information and/or photos in their social media accounts’ PRIVACY are securely protected.

Source: Sher Lock FB Account

Justice at last for Ex-INC™ Ministers

Source: Manila Bulletin

Ex-INC™ Minister Isaiah Samson Jr. (Photo Source: Politico.com)

Libel cases filed by INC vs former ministers junked

The Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office junked the five libel cases filed by powerful religious group Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) against two of its former ministers and another ex-INC member due to insufficiency of evidence.

In a 12-page joint resolution, Assistant City Prosecutor Manuel Luis Felipe dismissed the libel cases against Isaias Samson Jr., former INC minister and ex-editor-in-chief of Pasugo, INC publication; Eliodoro Yuson Jr. and Rodel Rosal, former INC minister and member, respectively.

Also exonerated from the libel cases were Marc Jason Cayabyab, Abel Ulanday and John Nery, reporter, publisher and editor-in-chief, respectively, of Inquirer.net online news.

In the resolution, Felipe said that three elements of libel – persons defamed were identifiable, the defamatory remarks were made public and the remarks were defamatory – were present in the complaints filed, but the other element – malice – was not present.

“The subject TV/radio interviews and news articles are clearly defamatory. There is no question that the subject interviews and news articles were made by respondents Samson, Yuson and Rosal and complainant Santos was identified by name in the TV interview and news articles. But the weakness in the complainant’s cases lies in the second element -which is malice. The burden is on the side of the respondent to show good intention and justifiable motive in order to overcome the legal inference of malice,” Felipe said in his resolution.

The Iglesia Ni Cristo® calls on coming together while its own house is still divided! What a hypocrisy!

What a hypocrisy!  While Eduardo V. Manalo (EVM), its present Executive Minister had mercilessly disowned his OWN MOTHER AND SIBLINGS and sent them to "dagag-dagatang apoy" of Hell by excommunicating them, how dare they have the nerve to call for Christian "UNITY" when its own house is DIVIDED?  First, let EVM reconcile with HIS MOTHER AND SIBLINGS-- being a CHRISTIAN LEADER (if they are still worthy to be called as such) should learn to HUMBLE himself before GOD and ASK FORGIVENESS from his mother and siblings.  Ka EVM should BE A MAN, face the MEDIA and SPEAK. Ano bang kinatatakutan niya at laging spokesperson ang pinahaharap niya sa media eh PURO KASINUNGALINGAN naman ang sinasabi ng kanilang tagapag-salita.

Sorry but many Christian communities are UNITED with the CATHOLIC CHURCH for that purpose. Why not the Iglesia Ni Cristo® or INC™ JOIN the CATHOLIC CHURCH in their effort to combat this No. 1 enemy which is poverty just as other churches did?!

Iglesia calls on other religions to come together vs poverty

IN THE wake of pronouncements from various denominations slamming the growing gap between the rich and the poor, the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) Monday called for a “multisectoral, cross-religious effort to combat poverty,” which the church referred to as “public enemy No. 1.” 

“While we have different beliefs, we agree wholeheartedly that we should wage all-out war against growing social inequity. Poverty is a problem that confronts us all, one that all faiths universally condemn,” INC general auditor Glicerio Santos Jr. said in a statement. 

Santos’ call was similar to the one made by Roman Catholic prelates who attended the recently concluded 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu City: That something must be done about hunger and poverty, especially when brought about by corruption and social injustice...

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/760676/iglesia-calls-on-other-religions-to-come-together-vs-poverty#ixzz3z4Df0gWk

Solita Monsod: On Menorca's overkill arrest!

Photo Source: Politicos.com

By: Solita Collas-Monsod / Philippine Daily Inquirer [all emphasis were mine]

I CANNOT resist putting in my two cents’ worth of comment, or rather questions, on the news reports on what has been going in Metro Manila this week. So here goes.

The Menorca arrest. 1. Two arrest warrants were served on expelled Iglesia ni Cristo worker Lowell Menorca II, both for libel. They were signed by two regional trial court judges all the way from Mindanao—the first by Alberto Quinto of the RTC in Kapatagan (second-class municipality, 2010 population: 53,916), Lanao del Norte, and the second by Wenida Papandayan of Marawi City (“The only Islamic city in the Philippines”), Lanao del Sur. Why anyone in those areas should be exercised about alleged libelous statements made by Menorca, I fail to understand, except if it is to remove the INC center from all blame. Obviously, someone was. And the judges ordering the arrest of Menorca—didn’t they have anything better to do? Maybe the Supreme Court administrator should take notice.

2. Then there’s the Manila Police Department sending out a “tracker team” (whatever that is)—the members of which weren’t in uniform, but in shorts and slippers, for heaven’s sake—to arrest Menorca. They found him on his way to the Court of Appeals. According to the MPD spokesperson, a decision was made “on the ground,” meaning at the point where they saw Menorca, to give priority to the arrest order rather than to the CA subpoena that Menorca was answering. That doesn’t compute. The decision to arrest couldn’t have been made on the ground, because Menorca was already on his way to the CA. Isn’t it more logical to conclude that the team was bent on preventing Menorca from reaching the court? Ergo, the decision must have been made beforehand.

3. More on the MPD: With all the arrest warrants being issued in Metro Manila, why were the warrants from Mindanao given priority, especially since the alleged crime was only libel—not a heinous crime—and there must be hundreds of warrants for crimes in the city that the MPD could have served?

4. Still talking about the MPD: Its story is that Mrs. Menorca (Seiko “Jinky” Otsuka) grabbed the badge and the arrest warrant from the serving officer, hid these in her car, and then came out to do battle. That shows tremendous presence of mind and calm ability to think on her feet. I saw the video (thank the Lord for cell phones), and noted that Mrs. Menorca is a slender, tiny woman compared to the arresting officer. How could she have gotten his badge and the arrest order, and so quickly? Why didn’t the others show their badges? The video showed her in hysterics (not calm), asking them again and again to show their badges, but no answer. And why, if they knew that the arrest warrant was in her car, were they unable to retrieve it?

Leila de Lima showed the strength of her character when she gave her statement regarding the Menorca arrest. Where other politicians have stayed absolutely quiet, no doubt because they are courting the INC vote, Leila unhesitatingly spoke her mind in complete disregard of what it might imply for her personal benefit. That’s what we need in the Senate. You have my vote, Leila...

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Mareng Winnie: De Lima puts to shame politikos for being the lone voice in the wilderness against INC

Source: Politicos.com

Former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Solita Monsod is praising senatorial bet Leila de Lima for standing up to the influential Iglesia Ni Cristo and calling a spade a spade when the former justice secretary condemned the arrest of sect member Lowell Menorca II.

“Leila de Lima showed the strength of her character when she gave her statement regarding the Menorca arrest. Where other politicians have stayed absolutely quiet, no doubt because they are courting the INC vote, Leila unhesitatingly spoke her mind in complete disregard of what it might imply for her personal benefit. That’s what we need in the Senate. You have my vote, Leila,” gushed Monsod in her Philippine Daily Inquirer column.

De Lima described Menorca’s arrest on 20 January 2016 as “really highly irregular and most probably illegal, too.”

She said the arresting officers should have been in uniform and not plainclothes and slippers and that they used excessive force not proportionate to the nonviolent crime slapped against Menorca.

The INC is widely suspected of engineering the dubious arrest warrant slapped on Menorca for libel. Menorca has accused the INC of illegal detention and harassment.

The INC has tagged Menorca as part of the group behind the malicious social media posts against INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo and his family. It was De Lima who initiated the cases filed against the INC leaders for illegal detention in August 2015.