![]() ![]() Photos and airplane logs of trips made by the Airbus, as well as a press conference held by expelled minister Lowell Menorca II, who narrated his ordeal, served to confirm the allegations. How could a church expected to be a model of simplicity be associated with corruption, abuses and irregularities supposedly committed by its leadership? How true were reports about use by members of the Sanggunian of a multi-million-dollar, luxurious Airbus ? How true were abductions of expelled ministers reported in the blog of chief critic Antonio Ebangelista, an adopted pseudonym of still unidentified Iglesia “rebels” who called themselves "defenders"?Īccusations of corruption by former minister Isaias Samson Jr and other “rebel” members of the Iglesia rocked the very foundations of the church. These surfaced for the first time and were confirmed by expelled ministers. Allegations of corruption and extravagant lifestyles of the church leadership – including the executive minister Eduardo Manalo – were unheard of before. But how solid is that influence?Īfter the video of Angel and Tenny Manalo, which Rappler first reported about, things were never the same for the church. With close to 2.3 million followers, according to the National Statistics Office, the Iglesia is perceived to be a potent force that influences Philippine life. The Iglesia is facing what is perhaps its worst crisis in recent memory, a crisis whose resolution is still nowhere in sight. ![]() The discord finally erupted in public in July 2015 when the younger sibling of Iglesia executive minister Eduardo Manalo, Felix Nathaniel "Angel" Manalo, and his mother Cristina "Tenny" Villanueva-Manalo appeared in a video on YouTube, appealing for help and saying their lives were in danger. Behind them are husbands Albert Albert (right most, back row) and Romualdo Alcantara. Right-most on the front row is Liberty Manalo Albert and sister Erlinda Manalo Alcantara. To his right is Eduard Rodil Hemedez, Lottie's husband who has passed away. Behind her is younger brother Marco Eraño. Behind her is daughter Lolita "Lottie" Manalo Hemedez. ![]() Beside Eraño is wife Cristina "Tenny" Villanueva Manalo. Behind Angel is elder brother and current executive minister Eduardo and wife Baby Lynn Ventura Manalo. To his right is Bro Felix Nathaniel "Angel" Manalo. The Iglesia's Manalo family with then executive minister Eraño Manalo, second from left on the front row. Over a hundred years old, no one ever imagined it was in the throes of dissension, with no less than members of the family entangled in a bitter quarrel they tried to hide for years. In exchange, it got members of the church appointed to high places like the Department of Justice, Bureau of Customs, the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, and Land Transportation Office, among several others. It is believed to vote as a bloc, with higher-ups dictating to its members what should be written on ballots during elections. MANILA, Philippines – The Iglesia ni Cristo has always been perceived as a secretive, exclusive, and closed church that somehow managed to wield influence in political circles. ![]()
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