The Power and Influence of the Iglesia Ni Cristo

The scandal inside Iglesia ni Cristo continues after the parents of Abigail Yanzon went public and accused the rescued ex-minister Lowell Menorca II of holding their daughter against her will.

Abigail was reportedly living with the Menorca’s and working as house helper. However, according to Atty. Trixie Angeles (Menorca’s Lawyer), Abigail was included among those who were rescued (including the Menorca couple and their infant daughter).

Critics on the other hand accuse the INC Council of pressuring Candido and Rosalie Yanzon (Abigail’s parents), to go on public and talk against Menorca.

“They can do whatever they want if they think they are cornered. Desperate times need desperate measures. They can even influence how the Philippines is governed. That’s how powerful the INC is”, former member from Bacolod “Alex” told the local radio yesterday. Alex voluntarily left the sect after an American-based minister (Louie Cayabyab) stepped down after the worship service.

Iglesia ni Cristo has been operating not only in the Philippines, but also around the world for a hundred years now. The sect and its activities hold several Guiness World Records that are hard to break.

In a video interview of Karen Davila on ex-minister Eleodoro “Joy” Yuson, he said that the sect collects millions of pesos in offerings every worship service around the world. The financial standing of INC has been strong, until the scandal affects much of its offerings recently.

INC has members in all branches of the Philippine government, and can easily pressure any government official who they think can interrupt any of their plans.

As quoted in GMA News report “Senator Sergio Osmeña III on Sunday acknowledged the influence of Iglesia ni Cristo in government agencies as he lamented the resignation of Customs Commissioner John Phillip Sevilla, who did so citing political pressure”.

“Ah, malakas ang influence ng Iglesia. Di ko naman sinasabing mali ang ginagawa nila. Siyempre kung mayroon naman silang irerekomenda, there’s nothing wrong with that. But to give in and to call it a political pressure ay hindi tama, so kasalanan ng Palasyo yun. Bakit sila nag-give in?’, Osmeña added.

Many believe that the cases of Isaias Samson Jr. Roel Rosal, Lowell Menorca, Joy Yuson, and others who filed charges against the Iglesia Ni Cristo council could have been thrown out of the window by the government if the complainants did not seek help of the media.

Among the sources of the church’s power are some of its influential personalities. The following are some of them.

Ferdinand Topacio – Lawyer of former First Gentleman mike Arroyo. Topacio admires Nazi Leader Adolf Hitler

Anthony Taberna – Broadcaster and TV commentator. Taberna is known critic of wrongdoings.

Former Supreme Court Justice Serafin Cuevas. The Church has also a lot of members in AFP and PNP, and other security agencies like NBI.

/Joel Paterno/

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