INC spokesman sees plot to discredit church

MANILA, Philippines - The latest allegations hurled against the Iglesia ni Cristo could be part of a plot to discredit the church, according to INC spokesman Edwil Zabala.

Zabala said the reported insinuations by expelled ministers Isaias Samson Jr. and Vincent Florida might be part of the systematic and planned efforts to discredit the church.

“This is a tragedy unto itself, given the good outreach work the church has undertaken for members and non-members alike,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Zabala cited the latest claim of the expelled ministers that the INC owns a multimillion-dollar Airbus 330-202, which the leadership has supposedly been using for trips abroad.

“The church does not own an Airbus. If Samson can prove that the church owns an Airbus 330-202, or any other airplane for that matter, then he can have it,” he stressed.

The INC earlier denied allegations of Samson and Florida about corruption of its funds from collections in the United States.

Zabala said there was no truth to the reported claims that some church officials maintained personal and unauthorized offshore bank accounts in the Cayman Islands or in Switzerland and are facing charges in the US.

Zabala also made a similar challenge to Samson and Florida concerning the alleged offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands and in Switzerland.

He said that church leaders are willing to sign a waiver to allow the two or any investigator of their choice to inquire into the proper authorities in the Cayman Islands and Switzerland.

He maintained that the INC has very stringent audit protocols that enabled the church to pass strict requirements for a tax-exempt status in the US.

The INC official gave assurance that the offerings of church members are properly audited and go to the construction of churches, as well as to the INC’s various socio-civic activities. He said that more than 800 churches have been constructed in different parts of the world under the leadership of executive minister Eduardo Manalo.

Zabala lamented why Samson and Florida, who were expelled as ministers of the church last July, have been relentless in attacking the INC.

“The INC and its members have done nothing to deserve this, and we appeal to the public to be wary of negative accusations that have no basis in law, in fact and in truth — and are merely meant to sow confusion and destroy an institution that means the world to its members,” he appealed.  

INC general auditor Glicerio Santos said the church continues providing assistance to less fortunate people in the Philippines through its Felix Y. Manalo Foundation despite the internal crisis rocking them.

Santos said that the church only wants the people – both INC members and non-members from local communities – to fight and eradicate poverty.

“It’s the church’s way of showing we should provide succor and concrete assistance to the least of our brethren,” Santos said in a statement.

The now 101-year-old religious sect has been actively engaging members and non-members in various livelihood and assistance programs throughout the country.– With Robertzon Ramirez