Conflicts between Iglesia ni Cristo and Members Church of God International

Since 1980, the Iglesia ni Cristo ("Church of Christ") have been at odds with the Members Church of God International (MCGI). Through Bro. Eli Soriano's program, he discussed biblical issues and exposed doctrines of other religious groups which he believed to be wrong, including those of INC. In 2001, after twenty-one years of reticence, the INC launched its own program, Ang Tamang Daan, as a direct response for the first time to Ang Dating Daan, featuring video footages and recordings of ADD hosts as issues were tackled. Over time the animosity between the two groups has intensified, and their relationship has been severely strained.

Background

Beginning with the broadcast of Ang Tamang Daan in 2001, INC (through SBN 21 and later Net 25, GEM TV, and INC Cable TV) and MCGI (through SBN 21 and later UNTV Channel 37) aired their accusations and responses to each other's statements. Their television programs contributed largely to the aggravation of their relations.

On August 16, 2004, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) preventively suspended the showing of the Ang Dating Daan program for 20 days due to slander and use of offensive and obscene language by its televangelist-host Eliseo Soriano, as a mean of disciplinary action.^[1]

On September 27, 2004, the MTRCB extended the suspension to three months. Soriano challenged the action in court, arguing that the suspension imposed by the MTRCB constituted prior restraint on the media and that his language during the show's August 10, 2004 broadcast was not obscene and offensive. The court dismissed his case in favor of MTRCB.^[2]

On June 2005, Soriano filed a motion by recommendation of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), saying the MTRCB violated the "right to information, communication and religion" of every Filipino.^[3] On April 29, 2009, The Supreme Court upheld the suspension imposed by the MTRCB, ruling that Soriano’s statements can be treated as obscene and cannot be considered as protected speech.^[4]

Soriano filed a motion seeking the reversal of its April 2009 decision. The Supreme Court denied Soriano's motion and affirmed the decision with finality in 2010 by an 11-4 vote, noting that “it is a sanction that the MTRCB may validly impose under its charter without running afoul of the free speech clause." The high court reminded Soriano that his program, being aired on television, is accessible to children of all ages and therefore not appropriate for a program with a “G” or for general audience rating due to his use of vulgar language and invectives.^[5][1]

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by members of the Iglesia ni Cristo, including its minister Michael Sandoval, due to statements of Soriano aired on August 10 referring to the minister:

Lehitimong anak ng demonyo! Sinungaling! [Legitimate son of demon! Liar!]

Gago ka talaga, Michael! Masahol ka pa sa putang babae, o di ba? Yung putang babae, ang gumagana lang doon yung ibaba. Dito kay Michael, ang gumagana ang itaas, o di ba? O, masahol pa sa putang babae ‘yan. Sobra ang kasinungalingan ng mga demonyong ito. [You’re really stupid, Michael! You’re worse than a whore! ... These demons are lying too much.]^[6][4]

Debates

In attempts to end the conflict between the two groups, a number of debate arrangements had been in talks on different occasions. But while there were previous agreements made, no proper debate had actually materialized between the groups due to varying reasons.

In 2004, Manny Antonio, a worker of MCGI, and Abraham Cruz, an INC minister, had a signed agreement to meet for a debate conference on April 26 in the city hall of Capas, Tarlac. Present on the agreed setting was the mayor of Capas, Rey Catacutan, the representing ministers of INC, Abraham Cruz, Jose Ventilacion, Ramil Parba, Michael Sandoval, and the barangay captain of Pao, San Jose, Tarlac, who stood as the witness of the agreement signing. However, no representative from MCGI, including Antonio, turned up on the event and instead communicated through a phone call. The debate did not push through.^[7]

On March 27, 2005, Soriano challenged Eraño G. Manalo, then Executive Minister of Iglesia ni Cristo, to a one-on-one debate on TV and internet. The Ang Tamang Daan hosts responded that Soriano should have a debate first with the Pope of the Catholic Church, owing to a previous claim by Soriano that he would debate the Pope, even in Latin.^[8] Soriano views this response as an excuse, while the INC sees his challenge as a bluff. Jose Ventilacion, an INC minster and trained debater student to Manalo, subsequently called Soriano's challenge to a one-on-one debate. Soriano did not want to debate with Ventilacion for he believes, for the conflict to be settled once and for all, a debate with the groups' leaders should be done.^[9]

One of the hosts of Ang Tamang Daan, Ramil Parba, challenged Willy Santiago and Josel Mallari, both hosts of Ang Dating Daan, to a debate, in response to a challenge allegedly made by Santiago.^[9]

Soriano previously called on all pastors of all churches to a debate in Luneta and have everyone proven wrong beheaded. Ministers of INC used this declaration and called Soriano's challenge. Soriano responded that he did not say he was challenging the INC in that account.^[9]

Lawsuits

On August 2003, the Iglesia ni Cristo sued Soriano for libel after Soriano accused them of publishing explicit comic books depicting Soriano having homosexual sex.^[10] In 2007, Soriano filed multiple petitions to stop the lawsuit to no avail.^[11]

Soriano had since been indicted on rape charges at the regional trial court of Macabebe, Pampanga, following a complaint filed by former MCGI productions (ADDCIT) staff Daniel Veridiano that he was sexually assaulted in Apalit, Pampanga on two occasions, along with other members of MCGI.^[12][13] The provincial prosecutor of Pampanga rejected Soriano's defense that the accusations against him were “fabricated, baseless and malicious.” He accused the INC of being behind the charges.^[14]

Conflict with Muslims

On April 3, 2005, Muslim leaders in Manila filed a 1-billion peso libel suit against Soriano for allegedly disparaging Islam and the Muslims in general, citing videos of him released to members of MCGI. The video was characterized as malicious, showing Soriano speaking irresponsible remarks and imputations of crimes against Muslims, exposing the Islamic religion "to public contempt and ridicule".^[15][16] Soriano claims the conflict has been caused by the videos aired in Ang Tamang Daan, saying the videos were not his.

Incident in Apalit

On April 18, 2005, MCGI members headed by Marcos Mataro had an apparently unauthorized religious debate with members of INC in a Jollibee outlet in Apalit, Pampanga.^[17] Local police on orders of the town mayor went to the restaurant and tried to stop the debate for lack of a mayor's permit. Mataro insisted on pushing through with the debate, assuring no trouble. Apalit Mayor Tirso Lacanilao had instructed the town's chief of police to transfer the venue of the debate either at the ADD convention center or at the INC chapel in an effort to prevent any trouble. Leaders of the MCGI group said they do not trust the local policemen. Mataro shouted, which reportedly provoked some INC members to a confrontation, and led to a free-for-all.^[18][19]

On April 27, 2008, Mataro was shot dead by two unknown assailants in San Simon, Pampanga.^[20] The killing of Mataro could be linked to his transfer to MCGI or to his pending attempted homicide case before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.^[21]

Current Relations

After the suspension of Ang Dating Daan and following multiple court cases, MCGI programs eased in criticizing the INC and slowly started focusing on general preaching. Soriano left the Philippines and now teaches abroad devoting his time to blogging, live podcasting, chatting with his webcast audience, and answering questions raised during his bible expositions. The Ang Tamang Daan in turn changed its format and has since introduced new hosts, and currently advocates the general doctrines of INC as with its other programs. As of 2011^[update], criticism from both sides has receded.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} SC upholds suspension of ‘Ang Dating Daan’ Inquirer.net, March 16, 2010
2. ^ SC upholds “Ang Dating Daan” suspension Manila Bulletin, March 16, 2010
3. ^ CHR pasok kay Bro. Eli Pilipino Star Ngayon, May 27, 2005
4. ^ ^{a b} SC upholds suspension on ‘Ang Dating Daan’ Inquirer.net, April 30, 2009
5. ^ High court upholds MTRCB's suspension of 'Ang Dating Daan' GMA News, April 30, 2009
6. ^ SC Upholds MTRCB Suspension of Ang Dating Daan Supreme Court of the Philippines, April 30, 2009
7. ^ Eli Soriano: Debate sa Tarlac, di SINIPOT ng Ang Dating Daan Clips from ADD and ATD, YouTube
8. ^ Bro. Eli Soriano vs Eraño Manalo Clips from ADD and ATD, YouTube
9. ^ ^{a b c} Eli Soriano: Ang pangba-BLUFF ni ELI SORIANO sa DEBATE Clips from ADD and ATD, YouTube
10. ^ Scandal: Eli Soriano SCANDAL - Komiks Clips from Imbestigador (Mike Enriquez) and Special Assignment (Luchi Cruz Valdez), YouTube
11. ^ CA junks evangelist's plea to stop libel case The Manila Times, October 6, 2007 (archived from the original)
12. ^ Dating Daan’s Ely Soriano posts bail Inquirer.net, June 21, 2008
13. ^ Ely Soriano charged with falsification of public document Inquirer.net, August 29, 2008
14. ^ ‘Dating Daan’ leader charged with sodomy Manila Standard Today, May 4, 2006 (archived from the original)
15. ^ P1bn libel charges against a religious leader Gulf Times, April 4, 2005
16. ^ ELISEO SORIANO ATTACK ON MUSLIMS Clips of Eliseo Soriano, Veoh
17. ^ Religious confrontation gets physical in Apalit Manila Standard, April 23, 2005
18. ^ Followers of Dating Daan and INC clash in Pampanga; cops accused of partiality Manila Bulletin, April 22, 2005 (archived from the original)
19. ^ Sect hit for 'not cooperating' in probe of brawl Sun Star Pampanga, April 23, 2005
20. ^ P1M reward offered for information on TV host's killers GMA News, April 29, 2008
21. ^ NUJP condemns murder of TV host ABS-CBN News, April 28, 2008