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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.

Asawa ng Ka Eraño G. Manalo at Ina ng Ka Eduardo V. Manalo ang Bagong 'Jezebel' ayon kay G. Jose Ventilacion

Mula sa blog ni G. Jose Ventilacion

Hindi ito karapat-dapat itawag sa Ka Babylyn kundi kay Gng. Cristina “Tenny” V. Manalo sapagkat natupad sa kanya ang pagkakahalintulad kay Jezebel.

1. Tulad ni Jezebel, si Gng. Tenny ay nagdulot ng isa sa mga pinaka malubhang suliraning pagka-bahabahagi.
2. Tlad ni Jezebel, si Gng. Tenny ay nanghikayat sa mga lingkod ng Diyos na lumabag sa kautusan ng Diyos nang siya ay manawagan sa Youtube.
3. Tulad ni Jezebel, si Gng. Tenny ay nakikialam sa Pamamahala ng Kapatid na Eduardo V. Manalo dahil tumatangap at sumasagot si Gng. Tenny Manalo ng sulat ukol sa Ordenasyon ng mga Manggagawa.
4. Tulad ni Jezebel, si Gng. Tenny ay nakikialam sa Pamamahala ng Kapatid na Eduardo V. Manalo dahil tumatangap at sumasagot ng sulat ng mga nagbabalik na na-disiplinang Ministro at Manggagawa.
5. Tulad ni Jezebel, pinakikialaman ni Gng. Tenny ang mga gawain at pasya ng ating Tagapamahalang Pangkalahatan, ang kapatid na Eduardo V. Manalo dahil sa kanilang hindi pagpapasakop at pangunguna sa mga kapatid na sila ay tulungan dahil sila ay diumano’y nasa panganib.
6. Tulad ni Jezebel, ang ginawa ni Gng. Tenny ay humantong sa pagpatay ng mga inosenteng tao at mga propeta na maaaring ihalintulad sa pagkapamahak ng kaluluwa ng mga ministro at mga kapatid na natiwalag dahil sa ginawa nilang paghihikayat upang lumaban sa Pamamahala.
7. Tulad ni Jezebel, pinarusahan si Gng. Tenny ng Panginoong Diyos at siya ngayon ay Tiwalag.
8. Tulad ni Jezebel, ang ginawa pananawagan ni Gng. Tenny ay nagbunga ng paglabag ng ilang mga kapatid sa mga aral ng Diyos.

Samakatwid, kitang kita natin kung kanino natupad ang nasusulat sa Biblia tungkol kay Jezebel sa katauhan ni Gng. Cristina V. Manalo at ito ay kailanman hinding hindi ang kapatid na Babylyn V. Manalo.

Tanong ko lang: Bakit di nila SINABI sa Ka Eraño G. Manalo noong nabubuhay pa ito na ang asawa pala niya, at ina ng mga magiging anak nila (at ina mismo ng nakaupong Executive Minister) ay isa palang 'JEZEBEL' sa makabagong panahon?

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

Lottie Manalo to brother Eduardo: Why are you keeping us away? -Rappler

Source: Rappler

Echoing the calls of her brother, Angel, Lottie Manalo Hemedez appeals to their older brother, Eduardo, to talk to the family and end the controversy in the Iglesia ni Cristo

'TALK TO US.' Lottie Manalo-Hemedez appeals to her brother, INC leader Eduardo Manalo, to talk to the family and end the long-running controversy rocking the church. Photo by Alecs Ongcal/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – For the first time since being expelled from the influential Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), Lottie Manalo Hemedez faced the media to appeal to her brother, INC executive minister Eduardo Manalo, to talk to his siblings and end the long-running controversy rocking the 101-year-old church.

"We want to talk to him to find out the cause of the disagreement between us. We want to know why he's angry at us. He hasn't given us a reason," Lottie said in a press conference on Friday, January 15.

Hemedez said she and her brother Angel still do not know why they were being harassed, deprived of their rights within the residence they claim as their own, and denied the opportunity to speak to their older brother.

Lottie, Angel, and Eduardo are among the 6 children of second Iglesia executive minister Eraño "Erdy" Manalo and Cristina "Tenny" Manalo. Eraño died in 2009, leaving his eldest son Eduardo in charge of the 2.25-million-strong church. (INFOGRAPHIC: The Manalos of the Iglesia ni Cristo)

It was after their father's death that things slowly started to change, Hemedez said. Within a few months, Eduardo began slowly distancing himself from the family, until they weren't able to talk to him at all.

"After my father passed away, nag-umpisa na unti-unti. Maraming mga bawal, hindi na kami pwedeng dumalaw ng Central. Kapag tinatanong namin bakit, ang laging sasabihin, "Atas ng pamamahala." Wala po kaming magagawa kundi sumunod kasi atas ng pamamahala, pero wala silang binibigay na reason," Lottie said.

(Everything slowly started to change when my father passed away. Suddenly there were a lot of things that were prohibited, we could not visit the Central Office. When we ask why, we were told it's upon orders of the leadership. We couldn't do anything but follow, but they didn't give us a reason why.)

"We asked countless times to be able to speak to our brother, but we were always turned away," she added.

In July 2015, Angel and his mother Tenny appeared in a YouTube video to appeal for help, claiming that their lives were in danger. Eduardo later expelled his own mother and siblings for exposing the supposed death threat and allegedly creating divisions within the church.

Since then, the siblings have cried harassment by the church's top leaders. Their residence at 36 Tandang Sora in Quezon City is now the subject of competing ownership claims, and electricity inside the compound has been cut off. A portalet and guardhouse blocked the driveway, and fences were put up.

While the INC leadership said these were security measures to protect themselves from unknown masked men seen entering the compound, the Manalo siblings claim these were forms of harassment designed to force them out of Tandang Sora.

No power struggle

It has been 5 years since Lottie last spoke with her elder brother. She said she was puzzled by Eduardo's silence and distance from them, saying that they used to be close and that he was a "kuya (older brother) in every sense of the word."

A few months before their father died, Eduardo even promised that he would take care of his siblings.

"'Pinatawag niya kaming lahat. Nakaidlip nang kaunti ang father ko, tapos sabi ng mother ko, na'ndito na si Eddie. And when my father saw him sabi niya, 'Huwag mong pababayaan ang mga kapatid mo.' And he promised that he would do that.... Sabi niya, kung ano ang aming kalagayan, ipagpapatuloy niya," Lottie said.

(My father called us all to him. He was sleeping at the time, and when Eduardo came, my mother woke him up. And when my father saw him, he said, 'Be there for your siblings.' And he promised that he would do that.... He said he would keep up our current living situation.)

What triggered the sudden change? Lottie said she still does not know the reason. She also denied that there was a power struggle, or challenges to Eduardo's leadership that supposedly arose after the death of their father.

Was Eduardo's wife and her sister-in-law, Lynn Ventura Manalo, a contributing factor? Lynn has been referred to as "Jezebel" by INC members critical of the goings-on inside the church.

Lottie recalled that her father had once told off Lynn, telling her not to "interfere" with the affairs of the church. Lottie, however, did not elaborate, adding that she has "no idea" if Lynn was responsible for the divisions within the church.

'As long as it takes'

Since their expulsion in July 2015, Lottie said she and her brother Angel have been enduring difficult living conditions. Fences have been put up around their residence, walling them in and forcing them to climb over them to be able to attend court hearings.

Even before their expulsion, Lottie said the family had been harassed and followed by unknown men. It was their concern for their safety, she said, that finally prompted them to speak out and appeal for help.

Despite the difficulties, Lottie is adamant: she would not leave 36 Tandang Sora, despite the INC's insistence that the property belongs to the religious organization.

Her camp earlier said she owns the title to the property, adding that the INC had falsified a deed of sale that supposedly transferred the lot to the church.

"Why should I leave? It's my house," she said.

Asked how long she can endure living in a walled-off property, with no electricity, Lottie replied: "As long as it takes." – Rappler.com

SIGALOT SA PAMILYA NI ERAÑO G. MANALO (Iglesia Ni Cristo®)!

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

OOFICE OF THE CITY PROSECUTOR

QUEZON CITY

16A-00032
FALSIFICATION OF PUBLIC DOCUMENTS

Complainant: LOLITA M. HEMEDEZ
#36 Tandang Sora Avenue, QC

Versus

Respondent: EDUARDO V. MANALO
#1 Central Avenue, New Era Quezon City

"Under the virtue of the authority vested in me by the Revised Charter of Quezon City and existing laws you are hereby commanded and REQUIRED to appear at the OFFICE OF THE CITY PROSECUTOR, 4th Floor, Hall of Justice Building (Bulwagan ng Katarungan) beside Quezon City Hall, Elliptical Road, Quezon City.

Room 428

January 27, 2016

2:00 PM

() Subscribe and Swear to your written statement on record;

() Submit (a) hotograph of your damaged vehicle or property with corresponding estimate of damage (b) medical certificate

() Submit to clarificatory questioning

NO MOTION TO DISMISS WILL BE ENTERTAINED. ONLY COUNTER AFFIDAVITS WILL BE ACCEPTED. OTHERWISE RESPONDENT IS DEEMED WAIVED HIS/HERTHEIR RIGHT TO PRESENT EVIDENCE.

FURTHER NO POSTPONEMENT WILL BE GRANTED UNLESS ON EXCEPTIONALLY MERITORIOUS GROUNDS.

WHEREFORE FAIL NOT AT YOUR PERIL.

Witness my hand this 6th day of January, 2016.

BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY PROSECUTOR:

SOLIVAN L. USMAN

Assistant City Prosecutor

=========================================================

Iglesia defying order to stop construction in Tandang Sora compound? -Rappler

Photos taken on Wednesday morning, December 23, show construction continues in the compound despite an order to 'temporarily stop' during the holidays

MANILA, Philippines – Despite a court order, construction activities are still ongoing in No. 36 Tandang Sora, where estranged siblings of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) head Eduardo Manalo currently reside even after their expulsion from the powerful church.

Photos taken at past 8 am Wednesday, December 23, show not a few construction workers still assembling scaffolding tubes in the compound, even after a Quezon City Regional Trial Court (QC RTC) ordered the INC to "temporarily stop" any construction during the holiday season.

This was the agreement of the church and the camp of Lottie Manalo-Hemedez during a hearing on Tuesday, December 22.

It was a compromise, after the court gave the INC until December 28 to comment on Hemedez' manifestation and very urgent motion for immediate implementation of the December 16 court order.

The previous court order directed the INC to clear the entrance to the compound by removing the guardhouse and portalet currently blocking the driveway of the Manalos' residence, and to restore their electricity.

However, Hemedez' counsel Trixie Cruz-Angeles on Tuesday said not one of the court's orders have been complied with, except the scheduled court inspection on December 16. (READ: INC's Angel Manalo to brother Eduardo: Don't fence us in)

INC lawyer Serafin Cuevas Jr, meanwhile, said Hemedez's camp is "imputing bad faith already" when they claimed the INC started putting up fences when the court sheriff already left the compound after the inspection.

The December 22 order also asked the INC to allow the unhampered access of Angeles and another lawyer, Ahmed Paglinawan, to their clients' houses. (READ: What's happening inside the Iglesia's 36 Tandang Sora?)

In September, the INC asked the court to ban visitors from the compound. But Hemedez is challenging the church's right to do this based on assertions of ownership.

She claims she and her late husband, Eduard Hemedez, own the land title to the 36 Tandang Sora residence – not the INC. The INC has been pointing to a deed of sale supposedly drawn up in April this year allegedly transferring the property from the Hemedez couple to the church.

But expelled INC minister Isaias Samson Jr had said it could not have been possible for Lottie's husband to sign the deed of sale dated April 21, 2015 since he died in April 2013 or two years before.

Lottie and his brother Felix Nathaniel "Angel" Manalo were expelled by their elder brother and INC head Eduardo Manalo. Their mother Tenny was also expelled, after she and Angel claimed their lives were in danger. (INFOGRAPHIC: The Manalos of the Iglesia ni Cristo)

This prompted Iglesia's worst crisis in years, with former ministers alleging abductions and corruption within the church. – Rappler.com

ABS-CBN: Masked INC members hold protest in California

Photo Source: Inquirer.net

Steve Angeles, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

Posted at 11/02/15 1:06 PM

CALIFORNIA – About a hundred current and former members of Iglesia ni Cristo convened outside the district headquarters in Anaheim, California, to continue demands for a more transparent church.

Dressed in masks, active and expelled members of INC picketed outside the INC Southern California District Office over the weekend.

While the members didn't speak much, their signs said it all.

''All they have to do is just come out and explain, be transparent with what's going on inside the church,'' said expelled member Richard Vasquez.

''All we're looking for is just the truth. We're not here to go against anybody. We're just against the corruption. If there's no corruption just stand up and say there's no corruption and prove it and stand by your word."

For the active INC members, joining such action put them at risk of being expelled from the church. But for the chance to stop any alleged corruption, it's a risk they're willing to take.

"They just want to make a point, when it comes to what we're doing here. So maybe perhaps they're scared or afraid but that is only because that's what the church administration is instilling in their heart -- that they should be afraid or scared. But we're not scared to expose the truth,'' Vasquez said.

Since allegations of church corruption and abductions surfaced earlier this year, some members have expressed their opinions.

Church leaders, however, said these actions are against the teachings of the INC and that the protestors have already been given explanations by the church administration.

''Clearly their intention in holding this demonstration is to cause division in the church, to further their misguided cause. This is to cause doubts among the members of the church. We're not going to stand and do nothing about it,'' INC resident minister Gino Ramilo said.

Leaders said members who are identified during these protest actions would be subject to due process that could eventually lead to expulsion.

''We try to teach them again the doctrines recorded in the bible. But if they make that choice, if they make that decision to continue to do something to disrupt the unity, you're no longer a Christian, you're no longer a follower of Christ,'' said INC minister Julius Malabanan.

This latest action comes after former INC minister Lowell Menorca II filed cases against several INC leaders over his alleged abduction.

MANALO FAMILY: The Legitimate Owner of the Iglesia Ni Cristo®, Incorporated

Who owns the INC™,  no one but the Manalos. But now the problem is that the older son of the Manalos is LORDING it over his own family and had excommunicated his own family over his love for the INC™, the source of his immense earthly wealth. 

ABS-CBN: INC petition violates personal freedom, lawyer says

From left: Felix Manalo (founder), Eduardo V. Manalo (grandson), Angel Manalo (brother of EVM), Cristina "Ka Tenny" Manalo (widow of Eraño G. Manalo) Photo Source: Rappler

How could Eduardo V. Manalo, the present Executive Minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo® founded by their grandfather FELIX MANALO, by his conscience consents evil that’s happening to his very family? How could a "preacher" of "Christian" (if they were ever been considered Christians) love and forgiveness permits this? "Give the other cheek" (Mt. 5:39)? "Honor thy father and thy mother..." (Deut. 5:16); what happened to those beautiful verses which undoubtedly demonstrate Christian virtues? Looking back, no good son would sentence his own mother to hell just as what Eduardo V. Manalo (EVM) did to his own. I am not an expert of the Bible but I haven’t come across any of the Biblical personalities like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, the prophets, sages and apostles, who admonished, sacked, insulted, convicted, or sent their mothers to hell! Not even their church founder Felix Manalo (whose mother remained and died a Catholic) nor Eraño G. Manalo ever was discourteous to their mothers. ONLY EDUARDO V. MANALO! That’s not godly! That is pure evil, ill-mannered minister undeserving of a man of God. Clearly God is already demonstrating to every member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo®, it's TIME TO LEAVE THAT CHURCH because it does not radiate any righteous qualities. The real, true, genuine, accurate Church of Christ hasn’t apostatized as Jesus (her founder) promised (Mt. 16:1618). COME HOME to his ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH! JESUS IS WAITING!

After all, the Iglesia Ni Cristo® is OWNED BY THE MANALOS, not by the Iglesia Ni Cristo® itself!

Carolyn Bonquin, ABS-CBN News

But INC lawyer Cuevas says restrictions needed to ensure security in compound

MANILA - A petition for injunction filed by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) abridges the personal freedom of Angel Manalo and Lottie Manalo-Hemedez, the Manalos' lawyer Trixie Angeles said.

The INC filed a petition on September 23, asking the court to prohibit unknown individuals from entering the premises of the INC compound in 36 Tandang Sora Avenue Quezon City where INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo's siblings are staying.

The petition was filed before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court after CCTV footage of people entering the compound was discovered.

INC legal counsel Atty. Serafin Cuevas Jr. said the INC deemed it necessary to petition for the restrictions to ensure the security of the occupants.

Cuevas also added that the INC may ask for the restrictions as the owner of the property.

READ: INC wants expelled members out of Manalo residence

In the hearing on the merits of the case on Tuesday, Cuevas asked for the names and pictures of all the occupants.

He also asked before the court to disallow visitors from staying in the compound overnight.

"It's their [Angel and Lottie's] right [to have visitors], you see. The only people who are not allowed visitors are people who are detained. This [petition] amounts to restriction of their personal freedom," said Angeles.

Both parties agreed to meet halfway while the case is being heard.

Included in the temporary agreement is the submission of all the occupants' names and pictures, as well as the list of all their visitors.

Meanwhile, guards will be posted in a public area outside the compound to ensure the security and to monitor the visitors.

The next hearing is set on Monday, October 5.

Here is a helpful INFOGRAPHIC from Rappler

Manalo Family Divided!

"HONOR THY FATHER AND MOTHER"! -Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16; Ephesian 6:2

Clearly, the present Executive Minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo® violated God's commandments when he cast to burning fire of hell is own mother, brothers and sister.

My challenge to every INC™ member is, show me where in the Bible that Biblical personages dishonored their mothers?! With Eduardo V. Manalo (EVM) casting HIS MOTHER and brother and sisters to HELL reveals what kind of person he is and what kind of "church" they belong t0 -- a Manalo Church!

Leave that INC™ Church and come back home to the original Church of Jesus Christ which is the Catholic Church according to Pasugo April 1966, p. 6 and Pasugo July-August 1988, p. 6.

The Manalos, including Ka Eduardo V. Manalo's (EVM) Deafening Silence: Are they being held hostage by the Sanggunian?

The whistleblowers  aren't been heard anymore including Ka Angel and Ka Tenny, are they being held hostage within the Iglesia Ni Cristo® compound? 

How about the present Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo, why he's so silent amidst left and right controversies and allegations of massive corruption by the very people he chose as his advisers -the Sanggunian, is he also held hostage?

People are just wondering why.

Inquirer Editorial: IGLESIA NONSENSE

INC™ SANGGUNIAN, believed to be behind all these mess (and where is Ka Eduardo V. Manalo? Why he remains silent amidst the chaos? For that it will make you think...

Iglesia Ni Cristo®'s SANGGUNIAN Members are Glicerio Santos Jr., Radel Cortez, Bienvenido Santiago Sr., Mathusalem Pareja, Rolando Esguerra, Eraño Codera, Rodelio Cabrerra and Maximo Bularan.

EDITORIAL
Inquirer.net

Iglesia nonsense

THE OFFICIAL reasons given by Iglesia ni Cristo officials and spokespersons for the protest actions that began on Thursday—first at the Department of Justice in Manila, then at the Edsa Shrine in Quezon City, and then since Saturday at the intersection of Edsa and Shaw in Mandaluyong—do not make sense. They do not stand logical or legal scrutiny. Instead, they betray the surge of panic that has overtaken some of the leaders of the influential church.

To begin, not at the beginning, but at the end: The protest organizers misunderstand the longstanding doctrine of the separation of church and state, which is the main reason they have offered to justify their collective mass action. That doctrine does not mean that offenses committed internally—that is, inside the church or within the congregation—cannot be investigated by the state; if a crime is involved, or alleged, then by definition that kind of violation is an offense against “the people,” and the state is duty-bound to investigate the matter. If evidence exists of the crime, the state must prosecute the guilty to the fullest extent, to meet the ends of justice.

Ka Angelo Eraño Manalo, son of the present Executive Minister (EVM) will be the next Executive Minister (?)

Ka Angelo Eraño Manalo or Ka AE, is the Overall Coordinator of the INC Christian Family Organizations and the CEO of Christian Era Broadcasting Service Incorporated; he took up European Languages at UP. He will be the next Executive Minister of Iglesia Ni Cristo. His current Body Mass Index (BMI) is 35 = Obese Class II

Sobra-sobrang ABULUYAN sa Iglesia Ni Cristo® inireklamo ng isang itiniwalag na kaanib

Angel Manalo: "Kuya, kung nasaan ka man, sana magkausap na tayo. Hindi lang kaming magkakapatid kundi higit sa lahat ang ating ina. Ang Mommy, sana makausap mo na. Sabik na sabik siya." (00:13 - 00:25)

(Brother, wherever you are, I wish we could talk – not just with us, your siblings – but most of all, with our mother. She is anxious about you).

The Philippine Star: Leader’s wife causing rift in INC?

INFOGRAPHIC: The Manalos of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Rappler)

By Robertzon Ramirez (The Philippine Star) |

MANILA, Philippines - The conflict in the family that leads the influential religious sect Iglesia ni Cristo began even before INC former executive minister Eraño “Ka Erdy” Manalo died in August 2009, an insider said.

The insider recounted that before Eraño died of cardiopulmonary arrest, he allegedly had a misunderstanding with his eldest son Eduardo, the incumbent INC executive minister.

“From what I know, Ka Erdy found out that Ka Eddie’s wife Babylyn was planning to organize a new Iglesia. They were previously evicted from the central office [after the incident],” the source said.

“Ka Babylyn is one of the reasons for this conflict. She is the ally of the Sanggunian (church council) and from what I know, she is their boss,” the source added.

The insider also said that the conflict was one of the reasons Eduardo was rarely seen at the wake of his father.

Eraño died in the arms of Felix Nathaniel “Angel” Manalo, younger brother of Eduardo. Before Eraño died, he told Angel to take care of the INC and all their people, a situation that Angel allegedly thought was his anointment.