The INC leadership cried "foul" and called on its hordes to accuse Justice secretary Leila de Lima of "preferential" justice. Three days later, the issue turned from an issue about "preferential justice" to "transactional justice" shortly after the INC chief evangelist Bienvenido Santiago revealed that the INC leadership and the "authorities" have come into an agreement, which, unfortunately, Santiago forgot to reveal the terms of the "agreement". Santiago asked the faithful to fold up and go home, just like that. " We have reached an agreement," says Santiago, and he cut himself short after that.
Mar Roxas was quick to the draw and just said that both camps agreed when government assured the INC leadership that it was just following procedures. That was essentially it, says Roxas.
Well, if that was really what happened, then, why then, it took three full days before government and the INC leadership came into an agreement? Don't tell me that it was very difficult for both sides to understand what the Revised Rules of Court say or that both camps don't have their own legal eagles to fully understand legal S.O.P.'s?
If that was as simple as telling the INC--well, we are just doing our jobs, and we are not giving anybody, any "preferential treatment", then why the need for a "transaction" that lasted for three full days?
I don't believe that such an issue which required thousands of Filipinos to brave the rains, sacrifice their own resources and their health, including those of their kids, and it just ended abruptly without both government and the INC fully explaining what really happened, is justice. I mean, the Filipinos who were used and those who were severely affected by the humongous traffic that was created by that "peaceful" rally deserve a more rational explanation.
The INC leadership denied many times that what they were doing back then was a form of "bullying". " We had a legitimate grievance", says Edwin Zabala, the INC spokesperson, " and it is well within our rights to express it when the government does wrong."
Well, with how this issue ended, it just proved that thousands of the faithful were used, coaxed into believing that what they were doing were right and based on the bible, when all it was really was a political exercise meant to show government the church's "strength." And for what? For government to capitulate.
What the INC leadership forgot is that this government whom they transacted with is the government of all Filipinos, not just the Aquinos and the Roxases. But since both camps think otherwise, that government is just their tool to satiate their capriciousness, then, explaining what really happened during those "transactional meetings" is really not necessary for them.
And why, do you ask?
Because this government and even the INC leadership think that the Filipino People are just tools, religious robots used to show who's boss, and mindless followers of some one's capriciousness. This is how they regard these Filipinos who love God--made to believe that they are following God when all they really are, according to their own leaders, are blind followers of this Mammon called political power.
Showing posts with label inc rally. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inc rally. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Monday, August 31, 2015
The INC Mammoth Rally: Political Implications and Where it is headed
The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) leadership is calling for a 1-million person rally by today, which happens to be the day when we commemorate the Day when our heroes sacrificed their lives for the Motherland. As what this corner said the very same day this happened, this rally is turning out to be quite political and worse, being capitalized by shady characters, among them, the braggart "Pastor" Boy Saycon.
Saycon is the lackey of Peping Cojuangco, who fell from power, the minute his nephew, Benigno S. Aquino III assumed the presidency. Saycon was himself berated for reportedly spearheading the smuggling of tons of sugar during the early days of the Aquino administration. Both controlled the sports association, a position given to them as a political accommodation. However, during the time of Peping's reign as "sports czar", the financial condition of sports' associations deteriorated due to massive graft and corruption.
Cojuangco and Saycon both claim to exercise influence over certain members of the Philippine military. The fact is, Saycon and another notorious character but less sinister than these two, Norberto Gonzales, are going around camps in previous months purportedly to rouse military men against this administration. It's fine if they are doing it for the right ideological reasons, and I do not fault Norberto for acting like that. The only thing that is despicable to my mind is the involvement of Saycon and Peping Cojuangco who have already tainted their reputations for being less ideological and more of carpetbaggers than anything. Their motivation is obvious---seize political power for themselves. Why? For their group to get juicy contracts from the government.
Saycon used to brag that he spearheaded EDSA dos, the bogus revolt that toppled Estrada. He is a member of the Council on Philippine Affairs (COPA), a group that toppled a legitimate leader and replaced it with Arroyo who reigned for nine tumultuous years. During these years, nothing came about precisely because the Cojuangco-Saycon clique defended this illegitimate administration.
The presence of Saycon at the stage of the INC was something despicable, and gut-wrenching to see. It tainted a very pure peaceful rally. Saycon and another character, Greco, a former criminal turned pastor turn political activist turn Manila councilor, should not have been allowed to speak before the INC crowd. Their presence further increased public doubts as to the real reasons why the INC church leadership called for the rally in the first place. Besides, their Powerpoint speeches were useless and worse, only propaganda.
As I was writing this, at around 8:30 this morning, August 31, the INC church leadership main evangelist, Bienvenido Santiago announced that the INC leadership has just decided to end the peaceful rally. Santiago says the church has already reached an understanding with the government. He gave no details.
This is now the problem--what was the "compromise" or this "win-win solution" that the INC and the government had reached?
If the government backed out and agreed to direct the Justice secretary Leila de Lima to throw out the criminal complaint, then, this is something which is quite problematic because it shows how weak this administration has become. The only solution really is for De Lima to back out of the case and let the courts decide--that is the solution. Is Malacanang ready to announce the resignation of De Lima as some form of a political compromise? This is THE problem---whatever De Lima does right now--resign because she is running for a political post this 2016 or leave the department for personal reasons-- this will surely be interpreted as linked with this issue. In my book, De Lima has been condemned for doing what she thought back then, as the right thing.
Poor De Lima. She was demonized. But, since this, as I said, became an already politicized issue, then, De Lima has nowhere else to go but down South.
Likewise, this "understanding" which Santiago said that justified the pull out of the massive crowds that occupied a part of EDSA for three days--what is the political implications of this insofar as the Liberal Party is concerned?
Again, the problem with this "understanding" is that this will further prolong public discussions about this issue.
It is the right of the public to know what was discussed between the Aquino administration and the INC church leadership for the very simple reason that this government represents the interests of majority of Filipinos and it should be acting for and in the interests of the Filipino masses. Whatever this administration entered into should be announced for obvious reasons--to avoid a misunderstanding that this government gave an arm and a leg just for its political survival.
As I understand, in a "win-win" solution, something has to give. Someone loses some. What was the loss and the gain?
Did the Liberal Party gained from this issue? What was the compromise?
Saycon is the lackey of Peping Cojuangco, who fell from power, the minute his nephew, Benigno S. Aquino III assumed the presidency. Saycon was himself berated for reportedly spearheading the smuggling of tons of sugar during the early days of the Aquino administration. Both controlled the sports association, a position given to them as a political accommodation. However, during the time of Peping's reign as "sports czar", the financial condition of sports' associations deteriorated due to massive graft and corruption.
Cojuangco and Saycon both claim to exercise influence over certain members of the Philippine military. The fact is, Saycon and another notorious character but less sinister than these two, Norberto Gonzales, are going around camps in previous months purportedly to rouse military men against this administration. It's fine if they are doing it for the right ideological reasons, and I do not fault Norberto for acting like that. The only thing that is despicable to my mind is the involvement of Saycon and Peping Cojuangco who have already tainted their reputations for being less ideological and more of carpetbaggers than anything. Their motivation is obvious---seize political power for themselves. Why? For their group to get juicy contracts from the government.
Saycon used to brag that he spearheaded EDSA dos, the bogus revolt that toppled Estrada. He is a member of the Council on Philippine Affairs (COPA), a group that toppled a legitimate leader and replaced it with Arroyo who reigned for nine tumultuous years. During these years, nothing came about precisely because the Cojuangco-Saycon clique defended this illegitimate administration.
The presence of Saycon at the stage of the INC was something despicable, and gut-wrenching to see. It tainted a very pure peaceful rally. Saycon and another character, Greco, a former criminal turned pastor turn political activist turn Manila councilor, should not have been allowed to speak before the INC crowd. Their presence further increased public doubts as to the real reasons why the INC church leadership called for the rally in the first place. Besides, their Powerpoint speeches were useless and worse, only propaganda.
As I was writing this, at around 8:30 this morning, August 31, the INC church leadership main evangelist, Bienvenido Santiago announced that the INC leadership has just decided to end the peaceful rally. Santiago says the church has already reached an understanding with the government. He gave no details.
This is now the problem--what was the "compromise" or this "win-win solution" that the INC and the government had reached?
If the government backed out and agreed to direct the Justice secretary Leila de Lima to throw out the criminal complaint, then, this is something which is quite problematic because it shows how weak this administration has become. The only solution really is for De Lima to back out of the case and let the courts decide--that is the solution. Is Malacanang ready to announce the resignation of De Lima as some form of a political compromise? This is THE problem---whatever De Lima does right now--resign because she is running for a political post this 2016 or leave the department for personal reasons-- this will surely be interpreted as linked with this issue. In my book, De Lima has been condemned for doing what she thought back then, as the right thing.
Poor De Lima. She was demonized. But, since this, as I said, became an already politicized issue, then, De Lima has nowhere else to go but down South.
Likewise, this "understanding" which Santiago said that justified the pull out of the massive crowds that occupied a part of EDSA for three days--what is the political implications of this insofar as the Liberal Party is concerned?
Again, the problem with this "understanding" is that this will further prolong public discussions about this issue.
It is the right of the public to know what was discussed between the Aquino administration and the INC church leadership for the very simple reason that this government represents the interests of majority of Filipinos and it should be acting for and in the interests of the Filipino masses. Whatever this administration entered into should be announced for obvious reasons--to avoid a misunderstanding that this government gave an arm and a leg just for its political survival.
As I understand, in a "win-win" solution, something has to give. Someone loses some. What was the loss and the gain?
Did the Liberal Party gained from this issue? What was the compromise?
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
INC vs. Pnoy text spreading like wildfire
A text purportedly sent from the highest echelons of the Iglesia Ni Cristo is spreading like wildfire among the brethren. The text, which I was also given, states this:
I revealed this text shortly after verifying from several co-INC members that this text is a BOGUS TEXT. If this happens to be a true order, I would not, under pain of death, share this with you, my readers.
According to my sources, there is no such text authorized or allowed by the INC leadership. This text spread like wildfire when the INC held its medical and dental mission last Monday.
Besides the text actually tells of a previous disagreement between the INC and the Pnoy Aquino administration a few months back.
Based on several accounts, the story goes that several imported construction materials were stopped at the Bureau of Customs. These construction materials are to be used for the big arena being constructed by the INC in Bulacan. One of the scrupulous Customs men wanted to get a quick buck out of it. All of the papers of the INC were legal. These were stopped by certain Customs men, not knowing that these construction materials were imported by the INC.
Again, this is according to some sources, President Aquino sent his trusted secretary, Secretary Butch Abad to INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo. There are conflicting reports as to this "visit". Some said that Manalo did not receive Abad. Others say, the two met and had an understanding.
This is just one of the issues which reportedly marred the relationship of the INC with that of the palace.
Another one concerning the collection of taxes.
As a religious organisation, the INC is exempt from paying taxes. However, under the law, its ministers are subject to taxation through income tax. Again, according to sources, Henares' men have been harassing some INC ministers, and trying to include property taxes which, to my legal mind, is part of church property, hence, are exempt from tax. Henares' men, however, think otherwise.
There is another "malicious" news which came out that says that Henares is asking the church leadership to pay taxes for the land which the arena now stands. I don't know if this is true, but the BIR is reportedly asking the INC to pay for the property taxes, along with the donation's tax, something which are, again, exempt from taxes. And even if these are not exempt, I doubt if the INC will not pay these obligations, being good Christians.
There is a doctrine in the bible which says that good and true Christians ought to follow the laws of the government. INC members are always encouraged to follow the law and recognize authority. Those who frown upon authority or do not recognize this, are warned and eventually expelled afterwards.
It's very obvious that some group or somebody is trying to fan the flames so to speak, between the INC and the Aquino administration. Who is or who are these groups?
" Ipinakita at ipa2kita ang pagkakaisa ng mga kapatid. Nahaharap sa matinding paguusig ng pamahalaan ang IGLESIA sapagkat ang ating presidente na walang utang na loob kung hindi dahil sa atin wala siya sa pwesto nya. Ipinahold ang mga materyales para sa dome na ginagawa sa Bulacan. saan daw tayo kumukuha ng budget para sa pagpapatayo ng malaking dome?
Pass to all inc."
I revealed this text shortly after verifying from several co-INC members that this text is a BOGUS TEXT. If this happens to be a true order, I would not, under pain of death, share this with you, my readers.
According to my sources, there is no such text authorized or allowed by the INC leadership. This text spread like wildfire when the INC held its medical and dental mission last Monday.
Besides the text actually tells of a previous disagreement between the INC and the Pnoy Aquino administration a few months back.
Based on several accounts, the story goes that several imported construction materials were stopped at the Bureau of Customs. These construction materials are to be used for the big arena being constructed by the INC in Bulacan. One of the scrupulous Customs men wanted to get a quick buck out of it. All of the papers of the INC were legal. These were stopped by certain Customs men, not knowing that these construction materials were imported by the INC.
Again, this is according to some sources, President Aquino sent his trusted secretary, Secretary Butch Abad to INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo. There are conflicting reports as to this "visit". Some said that Manalo did not receive Abad. Others say, the two met and had an understanding.
This is just one of the issues which reportedly marred the relationship of the INC with that of the palace.
Another one concerning the collection of taxes.
As a religious organisation, the INC is exempt from paying taxes. However, under the law, its ministers are subject to taxation through income tax. Again, according to sources, Henares' men have been harassing some INC ministers, and trying to include property taxes which, to my legal mind, is part of church property, hence, are exempt from tax. Henares' men, however, think otherwise.
There is another "malicious" news which came out that says that Henares is asking the church leadership to pay taxes for the land which the arena now stands. I don't know if this is true, but the BIR is reportedly asking the INC to pay for the property taxes, along with the donation's tax, something which are, again, exempt from taxes. And even if these are not exempt, I doubt if the INC will not pay these obligations, being good Christians.
There is a doctrine in the bible which says that good and true Christians ought to follow the laws of the government. INC members are always encouraged to follow the law and recognize authority. Those who frown upon authority or do not recognize this, are warned and eventually expelled afterwards.
It's very obvious that some group or somebody is trying to fan the flames so to speak, between the INC and the Aquino administration. Who is or who are these groups?
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