INC Expels Executive Minister's Mother and Brother

The Executive Minister of one of the most powerful religion in the Philippines, Iglesia Ni Cristo, decided on Thursday, July 23, to expel his own mother and brothers for allegedly causing a division in the church. This was after a video on YouTube was uploaded showing Angel Manalo, the brother of Executive Minister, Eduardo Manalo, pleading for help and saying that their lives are in danger. Tenny Manalo, the wife of the former Executive Minister and the mother of the Eduardo, also asked for prayers not only for them but for the kidnapped ministers of the church.

"Masakit man sa loob ng kapatid na Eduardo Manalo ay ipinasya nila na itiwalag yung mga lumilikha ng mga pagkakabaha-bahagi sa Iglesia. Kaya sa mga pagsambang isasagawa ng Iglesia ni Cristo simula sa araw na ito, ipaalam sa lahat ng kapatid ang pasyang yun ng Tagapamahalang Pangkalahatan,” Bienvenido Santiago, general evangelist of Iglesia Ni Cristo, said on a press briefing.

Also, Iglesia Ni Cristo reacted to the video by saying that Angel only wants to have the sympathy of the people.

"Ang basa namin doon sa pinahayag nila kagabi sa YouTube ay ibig lamang nilang makakuha ng mga taong magsisimpatya sa kanila. Para sa ganon ay makuha nila ang talagang gusto nila na mapakialaman ang pamamahala sa Iglesia,” Santiago said.

Angel also accused that a lot of corruption is already happening in the church and that the money or the donations the church got from its members are not spent properly and are used only for luxurious car and trips of the ministers around the globe. He also added that he does not know why the Philippine Arena was built. He said that the money used for the Arena should have been used for the construction of chapels in different parts of the Philippines and in different countries.

Iglesia Ni Cristo spokesperson, Edwin Zabala, answered the allegations of Angel by saying that from 2011, 800 chapels were built around the world and that there were no ministers who were kidnapped. He also added that the expulsion of Angel and his mother, Tenny means that they will no longer have the chance to go to heaven.