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In a detailed Facebook post shared on January 4, Rica Peralejo addressed the 'tithes issue' and denied allegations that she had been 'stealing' from the church.

The controversy reportedly stemmed from a TikTok user, identified as Agathon Topacio, who repeatedly insinuated in her comment section that the actress was using the money of her church.

According to Rica, she decided to address the comment and "play with it" because the allegation against her "doesn't make sense."

“May isang Agathon Topacio na nagcocomment sa Tiktok ko na sinasabing I use the money of the church. So pinatulan ko naman. Nilaro ko. At nakakatawa naman kasi ang akusasyon sakin. It does not make sense,” she wrote in her post.

To debunk the claims, Rica stated four main points in her post focusing on her self-made career and her family's financial principles.

Rica reminded the public that she has been a working professional since she was 12 years old. She also revealed that when she and Pastor Joseph Bonifacio got married, she was actually the more financially stable partner.

“I have worked ever since I was 12yo. And alam ng asawa ko at lahat ng tao na nung magpapakasal kami, ako talaga ang mas may pera sa aming dalawa,” Rica explained.

“May mga taon pa dito na ako lang ang nagtratrabaho so he can transition out of his old job. I have my assets, investments, properties. And I continue to earn today as a digital content creator, and actress,” she continued.

Addressing the specific claim of stealing tithes, Rica also clarified that she has often been the one giving money to help start their new church.

“When he started a new church, ako pa ang nagbibigay ng pera. Pa'no ko nanakawin yung sarili kong binigay? (Ayoko na sana sabihin ito pero para lang klaro),” she said.

Rica also shared that her husband balances three side jobs to ensure they remain financially independent of the church.

“My husband has other jobs for this reason. When he started a new church he also did it part-time, and has three other jobs on the side. Kasi ayaw nyang gawing kabuhayan ang simbahan. He gets salary from it but not much kasi kasunduan namin na hindi kami dapat magugutom if ever mawala ang church,” wrote Rica.

“Naging desisyon namin yan after naming mapansin na nahahaluan ng business yung pagmamalasakit sa tao kapag ginawa mong kabuhayan ang pagiging simbahan,” she added.

Rica also revealed their specific financial responsibilities. “Ever since kami ay mag-asawa ang naging kasunduan namin sa pera ay lahat ng essentials ay gastos nya. Kailangan mapakain nya kami etc etc. Pag may lagpas dito tulad ng travel etc etc, ako na yun.”

Rica urged her critics to use "common sense" and look at the “math” of their lifestyle.

“So sana sapat na yan para sa katahimikan ng lahat. Utang na loob wag nyo akong bastusin at common sense lang,” she said.

“Magmath tayong lahat para maintindihan nyo ang buhay ng magnanakaw sa hindi,” she added.

She also joked that if she were actually stealing from church tithes, she should be significantly wealthier than she is now: “Sana ang yaman yaman ko na ngayon kung ako ay isang magnanakaw.”

Concluding her statement with a New Year's greeting, Rica expressed her hope that the new year would bring a change for those spreading misinformation about her.

“Again happy new year. Kaloka sana magbago na yung mga dapat magbago sa taong ito,” she said.

In her recent Instagram story, Rica opened up about gossip as part of her life: “Chismis is a part of my life. I have long accepted this.”

“I've been called many things: kabit ng mayamang politiko sa showbiz, and someone you should be careful about daw in some religious circle. Tinawag na din akong puno ng demonyo ng isang pastor's wife nyaha. And those things have never bothered me,” she said.

Rica also clarified that her emotional energy is reserved for real-life trials: “What bothers me are: my father's death, my sister's death, my miscarriages, and my long runs. Yes, kalevel ng death yung 3hr runs ko at 32ks in the near future + if may treadmill yung airbnb ko sa Japan.”