Kapa Ministry lawyer: Donations go to legit businesses

The businesses where "donations" to Kapa Community Ministry International Inc. go are legitimate, according to the lawyer of the religious organization's founder.

In his report on GMA's 24 Oras on Tuesday, John Consulta quoted the group's lawyer Rommel Cahayag as saying the donations and investments that their company gets go to several "business interests" including one in mining.

Operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) earlier searched through the residence of Kapa founder Pastor Joel Apolinario and its main office in Saranggani, following the order of President Rodrigo Duterte who claimed that the organization was involved in an investment scam.

"Meron naman tayong injunction sa korte, 'yun naman ang pinanghahawakan natin but just the same, nangyari na ito and they are armed with a search warrant from RTC 20 Manila. Wala tayong magagawa. Mag-assist na lang tayo," said Cahayag.

Apolinario was not in the house when the raid happened.

A brand new bullet-proof car and heavy equipment were seen during the search. Records from a recovered logbook also showed that over P100 million per day are being processed by the religious organization.

Duterte on Saturday ordered the NBI and the Philippine National Police to shut down Kapa for its "too good to be true" pyramiding scheme.

"Imagine, your P100,000 earns P30,000 a month? Even our Bangko Sentral can only give 3%, and that's annually. I have been telling the Filipino people that if what is being promised to you is something like heaven it's fraud,” Duterte said.

The Palace said numerous complaints may have prompted the President to make such an order.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it intends to file criminal charges against Kapa and its officials as it continues to accept financial investments while its necessary permits have been revoked.

Meanwhile, some members of Kapa were not in favor with the President's decision to shut it down as they rely heavily on the pay-out that they receive.

"Dalawa ang college ko. 'Yun lang ang inaasahan ko na makabayad ako buwan-buwan. 'Yung ibinabawal niya na 5-6 babalik talaga 'yan kapag nawala ang Kapa. Kailangan wag niya walain, nakakabuti 'yan sa amin," said member Lacey Marie Jordan.

The organization, supposedly composed over two million members nationwide, plans to hold a prayer rally on Thursday to plead the reversal of Duterte's order.

GMA News is still trying to get the comment of Apolinario. — Dona Magsino/MDM, GMA News