Angel Manalo slams two Iglesia ni Cristo officials for corruption

Felix Nathaniel "Angel" Manalo on Monday named two Iglesia ni Cristo officials as part of the alleged corruption hounding the church leadership.

 

In an interview on "24 Oras," the younger brother of executive minister Eduardo Manalo identified Iglesia ni Cristo auditor Glicerio Santos Jr. and general secretary Radel Cortez among those involved in corruption within the ruling council.

 

Manalo said he wants to meet his older brother to discuss how to put an end to the issue of corruption in the church.

 

"Hindi naman po sa kabuuan ang kurapsyon e. Nasa iilang tao lamang po ang gumagawa ng kasamaan at 'yun nga po ang sanggunian," he said, adding that his camp will release evidence in the coming days.

 

According to Manalo, the corruption allegedly involves the construction of the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

 

"Napakalaki na po ng maintenance cost po nun. Nahihirapan ang mga kapatid kakaabuloy, karagdagang abuloy," he said.

 

Iglesia ni Cristo spokersperson Edwil Zabala, however, denied the allegations and said that the church has its own audit of contributions from members.

 

Earlier, another former church official also implicated Santos in a video posted on Facebook.

 

"Alam ninyo na sa ating pag-uusap, kahit noon, kayo rin ang bumabanggit ng mga katiwalian na ginagawa ni Glicerio Santos Jr.," said Isaias Samson Jr., addressing Zabala and Iglesia ni Cristo general evangelist Bienvenido Santiago.

 

Samson, the former editor-in-chief of the church's official publication "Pasugo," has been expelled from the church and is facing libel raps.

 

Santos' and Cortez's name also appeared in an email to the Department of Justice received from a certain "kapatid saiglesia."

 

The email read: "Tulungan niyo po kami nanganganib po ang buhay ng pamilya ni ka erdy. May 10 mismo na dinukot hanggang ngayun di pa nakikita, mga tagasanggunian ng iglesia nasa likod nito sa pangunguna ni glicerio santos jr at radel cortez. tulungan po ninyo kami. parang awa nyo na."

 

Manalo and his mother, Kristina "Tenny" Manalo, revealed a threat to their lives via a Youtube video on Wednesday and sought help from authorities. They have been expelled from the church.

 

Police are now posted in their residence to serve as security detail. —Marisse Panaligan/JST, GMA News