Conflicts between Iglesia ni Cristo and Members Church of God International
Encyclopedia
Since 1980, the Iglesia ni Cristo
("Church of Christ") have been at odds with the Members Church of God International
(MCGI). Through Bro. Eli Soriano's program, he discussed biblical issues and exposed doctrines of other religious groups which he believed to be wrong, including those of INC. In 2001, after twenty-one years of reticence, the INC launched its own program, Ang Tamang Daan
, as a direct response for the first time to Ang Dating Daan, featuring video footages and recordings of ADD hosts as issues were tackled. Over time the animosity between the two groups has intensified, and their relationship has been severely strained.
and later Net 25, GEM TV
, and INC Cable TV) and MCGI (through SBN 21
and later UNTV
Channel 37) aired their accusations and responses to each other's statements. Their television programs contributed largely to the aggravation of their relations.
On August 16, 2004, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board
(MTRCB) preventively suspended the showing of the Ang Dating Daan program for 20 days due to slander and use of offensive and obscene language
by its televangelist-host Eliseo Soriano
, as a mean of disciplinary action.
On September 27, 2004, the MTRCB extended the suspension to three months. Soriano challenged the action in court, arguing that the suspension imposed by the MTRCB constituted prior restraint on the media and that his language during the show's August 10, 2004 broadcast was not obscene and offensive. The court dismissed his case in favor of MTRCB.
On June 2005, Soriano filed a motion by recommendation of the Commission on Human Rights
(CHR), saying the MTRCB violated the "right to information, communication and religion" of every Filipino. On April 29, 2009, The Supreme Court
upheld the suspension imposed by the MTRCB, ruling that Soriano’s statements can be treated as obscene and cannot be considered as protected speech.
Soriano filed a motion seeking the reversal of its April 2009 decision. The Supreme Court denied Soriano's motion and affirmed the decision with finality in 2010 by an 11-4 vote, noting that “it is a sanction that the MTRCB may validly impose under its charter without running afoul of the free speech clause." The high court reminded Soriano that his program, being aired on television, is accessible to children of all ages and therefore not appropriate for a program with a “G” or for general audience rating due to his use of vulgar language and invectives
.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by members of the Iglesia ni Cristo, including its minister Michael Sandoval, due to statements of Soriano aired on August 10 referring to the minister:
In 2004, Manny Antonio, a worker of MCGI, and Abraham Cruz, an INC minister, had a signed agreement to meet for a debate conference on April 26 in the city hall of Capas, Tarlac
. Present on the agreed setting was the mayor of Capas, Rey Catacutan, the representing ministers of INC, Abraham Cruz, Jose Ventilacion, Ramil Parba, Michael Sandoval, and the barangay
captain of Pao, San Jose, Tarlac, who stood as the witness of the agreement signing. However, no representative from MCGI, including Antonio, turned up on the event and instead communicated through a phone call. The debate did not push through.
On March 27, 2005, Soriano challenged Eraño G. Manalo
, then Executive Minister of Iglesia ni Cristo, to a one-on-one debate on TV and internet. The Ang Tamang Daan hosts responded that Soriano should have a debate first with the Pope
of the Catholic Church, owing to a previous claim by Soriano that he would debate the Pope, even in Latin
. Soriano views this response as an excuse, while the INC sees his challenge as a bluff. Jose Ventilacion, an INC minster and trained debater student to Manalo, subsequently called Soriano's challenge to a one-on-one debate. Soriano did not want to debate with Ventilacion for he believes, for the conflict to be settled once and for all, a debate with the groups' leaders should be done.
One of the hosts of Ang Tamang Daan, Ramil Parba, challenged Willy Santiago and Josel Mallari, both hosts of Ang Dating Daan, to a debate, in response to a challenge allegedly made by Santiago.
Soriano previously called on all pastors of all churches to a debate in Luneta and have everyone proven wrong beheaded. Ministers of INC used this declaration and called Soriano's challenge. Soriano responded that he did not say he was challenging the INC in that account.
Soriano had since been indicted on rape
charges at the regional trial court of Macabebe, Pampanga, following a complaint filed by former MCGI
productions (ADDCIT) staff Daniel Veridiano that he was sexually assaulted in Apalit, Pampanga
on two occasions, along with other members of MCGI. The provincial prosecutor of Pampanga rejected Soriano's defense that the accusations against him were “fabricated, baseless and malicious.” He accused the INC of being behind the charges.
leaders in Manila filed a 1-billion peso
libel suit against Soriano for allegedly disparaging Islam
and the Muslims in general, citing videos of him released to members of MCGI. The video was characterized as malicious, showing Soriano speaking irresponsible remarks and imputations of crimes against Muslims, exposing the Islamic religion "to public contempt and ridicule". Soriano claims the conflict has been caused by the videos aired in Ang Tamang Daan, saying the videos were not his.
outlet in Apalit, Pampanga
. Local police on orders of the town mayor went to the restaurant and tried to stop the debate for lack of a mayor's permit. Mataro insisted on pushing through with the debate, assuring no trouble. Apalit Mayor Tirso Lacanilao had instructed the town's chief of police to transfer the venue of the debate either at the ADD convention center or at the INC chapel in an effort to prevent any trouble. Leaders of the MCGI group said they do not trust the local policemen. Mataro shouted, which reportedly provoked some INC members to a confrontation, and led to a free-for-all.
On April 27, 2008, Mataro was shot dead by two unknown assailants in San Simon, Pampanga
. The killing of Mataro could be linked to his transfer to MCGI or to his pending attempted homicide case before the Quezon City
Regional Trial Court.
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo also known as INC, is the largest entirely indigenous Christian religious organization that originated from the Philippines and the largest independent church in Asia. Due to a number of similarities, some Protestant writers describe the INC's doctrines as restorationist in...
("Church of Christ") have been at odds with the Members Church of God International
Members Church of God International
The Members Church of God International is an independent Christian organization with headquarters in the Philippines. The Church of God International is colloquially known through its flagship international television program, Ang Dating Daan...
(MCGI). Through Bro. Eli Soriano's program, he discussed biblical issues and exposed doctrines of other religious groups which he believed to be wrong, including those of INC. In 2001, after twenty-one years of reticence, the INC launched its own program, Ang Tamang Daan
Ang Tamang Daan
Ang Tamang Daan is a program produced by the Philippine-based religious organization, Iglesia ni Cristo, and aired over its secular-programming television station, Net 25. On this program, the INC Ministers headed by Rommel Topacio, Leopoldo Guevarra and Maximo Bularan Jr...
, as a direct response for the first time to Ang Dating Daan, featuring video footages and recordings of ADD hosts as issues were tackled. Over time the animosity between the two groups has intensified, and their relationship has been severely strained.
Background
Beginning with the broadcast of Ang Tamang Daan in 2001, INC (through SBN 21Southern Broadcasting Network
SBN is a Philippine television network owned by Filipino-Chinese tycoon Lucio Co, the owner of Puregold Price Club Inc., a supermarket chain. Its main broadcast facilities at 5/F Summit One Bldg, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City...
and later Net 25, GEM TV
DZCE-TV
GEMNET is the first to test broadcast on DTV channel 49 is the flagship station of the Philippine Television Network GEMNET. It is currently the UHF television station of Christian Era Broadcasting Service, a broadcast ministry of the independent Philippine Christian church, the Iglesia ni Cristo,...
, and INC Cable TV) and MCGI (through SBN 21
Southern Broadcasting Network
SBN is a Philippine television network owned by Filipino-Chinese tycoon Lucio Co, the owner of Puregold Price Club Inc., a supermarket chain. Its main broadcast facilities at 5/F Summit One Bldg, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City...
and later UNTV
DWAO-TV
UNTV is a UHF television station in the Philippines operated by the Progressive Broadcasting Corporation, the same company that operates the 107.5 Win Radio and 91.5 Big Radio network of FM stations. DWAO is one of very few NTSC-System M stations in the world that broadcast on channel 37...
Channel 37) aired their accusations and responses to each other's statements. Their television programs contributed largely to the aggravation of their relations.
On August 16, 2004, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board
Movie and Television Review and Classification Board
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board is the government agency responsible for rating television and film for the Philippines. Recently, the MTRCB was given the additional task of rating various video media . It is under the executive powers of the Office of the President...
(MTRCB) preventively suspended the showing of the Ang Dating Daan program for 20 days due to slander and use of offensive and obscene language
Obscenity
An obscenity is any statement or act which strongly offends the prevalent morality of the time, is a profanity, or is otherwise taboo, indecent, abhorrent, or disgusting, or is especially inauspicious...
by its televangelist-host Eliseo Soriano
Eliseo Soriano
Eliseo Fernando "Bro. Eli" Soriano is a Filipino televangelist. He is the current Presiding Minister of the Philippines-based Christian organization Members Church of God International, colloquially known through its radio and television program Ang Dating Daan...
, as a mean of disciplinary action.
On September 27, 2004, the MTRCB extended the suspension to three months. Soriano challenged the action in court, arguing that the suspension imposed by the MTRCB constituted prior restraint on the media and that his language during the show's August 10, 2004 broadcast was not obscene and offensive. The court dismissed his case in favor of MTRCB.
On June 2005, Soriano filed a motion by recommendation of the Commission on Human Rights
Commission on Human Rights (Philippines)
The Commission on Human Rights is an independent office created by the Constitution of the Philippines, with the primary function of investigating all forms of human rights violations involving civil and political rights in the Philippines....
(CHR), saying the MTRCB violated the "right to information, communication and religion" of every Filipino. On April 29, 2009, The Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the Philippines
The Supreme Court of the Philippines is the Philippines' highest judicial court, as well as the court of last resort. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Chief Justice...
upheld the suspension imposed by the MTRCB, ruling that Soriano’s statements can be treated as obscene and cannot be considered as protected speech.
Soriano filed a motion seeking the reversal of its April 2009 decision. The Supreme Court denied Soriano's motion and affirmed the decision with finality in 2010 by an 11-4 vote, noting that “it is a sanction that the MTRCB may validly impose under its charter without running afoul of the free speech clause." The high court reminded Soriano that his program, being aired on television, is accessible to children of all ages and therefore not appropriate for a program with a “G” or for general audience rating due to his use of vulgar language and invectives
Profanity
Profanity is a show of disrespect, or a desecration or debasement of someone or something. Profanity can take the form of words, expressions, gestures, or other social behaviors that are socially constructed or interpreted as insulting, rude, vulgar, obscene, desecrating, or other forms.The...
.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by members of the Iglesia ni Cristo, including its minister Michael Sandoval, due to statements of Soriano aired on August 10 referring to the minister:
- Lehitimong anak ng demonyo! Sinungaling! [Legitimate son of demon! Liar!]
- Gago ka talaga, Michael! Masahol ka pa sa putang babae, o di ba? Yung putang babae, ang gumagana lang doon yung ibaba. Dito kay Michael, ang gumagana ang itaas, o di ba? O, masahol pa sa putang babae ‘yan. Sobra ang kasinungalingan ng mga demonyong ito. [You’re really stupid, Michael! You’re worse than a whore! ... These demons are lying too much.]
Debates
In attempts to end the conflict between the two groups, a number of debate arrangements had been in talks on different occasions. But while there were previous agreements made, no proper debate had actually materialized between the groups due to varying reasons.In 2004, Manny Antonio, a worker of MCGI, and Abraham Cruz, an INC minister, had a signed agreement to meet for a debate conference on April 26 in the city hall of Capas, Tarlac
Capas, Tarlac
Capas is a first class municipality in the province of Tarlac, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 122,084 people in 18,333 households. It is a part of the Third Municipal district of Tarlac with Mayor Antonio "TJ" Capitulo Rodriguez, Jr. as its incumbent Mayor and...
. Present on the agreed setting was the mayor of Capas, Rey Catacutan, the representing ministers of INC, Abraham Cruz, Jose Ventilacion, Ramil Parba, Michael Sandoval, and the barangay
Barangay
A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...
captain of Pao, San Jose, Tarlac, who stood as the witness of the agreement signing. However, no representative from MCGI, including Antonio, turned up on the event and instead communicated through a phone call. The debate did not push through.
On March 27, 2005, Soriano challenged Eraño G. Manalo
Eraño G. Manalo
Eraño de Guzman Manalo , also known as Ka Erdy, was the second Executive Minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo, serving from 1963 until 2009. He took over the administration of the church after the death of his father, Felix Manalo, in 1963. He was instrumental in the propagation and expansion of the...
, then Executive Minister of Iglesia ni Cristo, to a one-on-one debate on TV and internet. The Ang Tamang Daan hosts responded that Soriano should have a debate first with the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
of the Catholic Church, owing to a previous claim by Soriano that he would debate the Pope, even in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
. Soriano views this response as an excuse, while the INC sees his challenge as a bluff. Jose Ventilacion, an INC minster and trained debater student to Manalo, subsequently called Soriano's challenge to a one-on-one debate. Soriano did not want to debate with Ventilacion for he believes, for the conflict to be settled once and for all, a debate with the groups' leaders should be done.
One of the hosts of Ang Tamang Daan, Ramil Parba, challenged Willy Santiago and Josel Mallari, both hosts of Ang Dating Daan, to a debate, in response to a challenge allegedly made by Santiago.
Soriano previously called on all pastors of all churches to a debate in Luneta and have everyone proven wrong beheaded. Ministers of INC used this declaration and called Soriano's challenge. Soriano responded that he did not say he was challenging the INC in that account.
Lawsuits
On August 2003, the Iglesia ni Cristo sued Soriano for libel after Soriano accused them of publishing explicit comic books depicting Soriano having homosexual sex. In 2007, Soriano filed multiple petitions to stop the lawsuit to no avail.Soriano had since been indicted on rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
charges at the regional trial court of Macabebe, Pampanga, following a complaint filed by former MCGI
Members Church of God International
The Members Church of God International is an independent Christian organization with headquarters in the Philippines. The Church of God International is colloquially known through its flagship international television program, Ang Dating Daan...
productions (ADDCIT) staff Daniel Veridiano that he was sexually assaulted in Apalit, Pampanga
Pampanga
Pampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Pampanga is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast...
on two occasions, along with other members of MCGI. The provincial prosecutor of Pampanga rejected Soriano's defense that the accusations against him were “fabricated, baseless and malicious.” He accused the INC of being behind the charges.
Conflict with Muslims
On April 3, 2005, MuslimMuslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
leaders in Manila filed a 1-billion peso
Philippine peso
The peso is the currency of the Philippines. It is subdivided into 100 centavos . Before 1967, the language used on the banknotes and coins was English and so "peso" was the name used...
libel suit against Soriano for allegedly disparaging Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
and the Muslims in general, citing videos of him released to members of MCGI. The video was characterized as malicious, showing Soriano speaking irresponsible remarks and imputations of crimes against Muslims, exposing the Islamic religion "to public contempt and ridicule". Soriano claims the conflict has been caused by the videos aired in Ang Tamang Daan, saying the videos were not his.
Incident in Apalit
On April 18, 2005, MCGI members headed by Marcos Mataro had an apparently unauthorized religious debate with members of INC in a JollibeeJollibee
Jollibee Foods Corporation is the parent company of Jollibee, a fast-food restaurant chain based in the Philippines. Among JFC's popular brands are Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Caffe Ti-amo, Mang Inasal and Burger King...
outlet in Apalit, Pampanga
Apalit, Pampanga
Apalit is a Philippine municipality in the province of Pampanga, Philippines. It is situated in the Luzon Island. According to the latest census, it has a population of 97,296 inhabitants in 15,072 households....
. Local police on orders of the town mayor went to the restaurant and tried to stop the debate for lack of a mayor's permit. Mataro insisted on pushing through with the debate, assuring no trouble. Apalit Mayor Tirso Lacanilao had instructed the town's chief of police to transfer the venue of the debate either at the ADD convention center or at the INC chapel in an effort to prevent any trouble. Leaders of the MCGI group said they do not trust the local policemen. Mataro shouted, which reportedly provoked some INC members to a confrontation, and led to a free-for-all.
On April 27, 2008, Mataro was shot dead by two unknown assailants in San Simon, Pampanga
San Simon, Pampanga
San Simon is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Pampanga, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 48,050 people in 7,680 households.-Barangays:San Simon is politically subdivided into 14 barangays.* Concepcion...
. The killing of Mataro could be linked to his transfer to MCGI or to his pending attempted homicide case before the Quezon City
Quezon City
Quezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...
Regional Trial Court.