Ignorance is Pardonable

12/26/2015 , 253 Comments


Christmas – allegedly the birth of Christ – is celebrated in almost all parts of the globe on the 25th of December yearly: a joyful season whose celebrants are ignorant children.

I came from a family of eight (me being the 7th). Being always “borrowed” from my family by my childless Auntie Toyang and Lola (grandma) Pilar, who, being two devout Catholics, loved me as much as my mother did.I can still remember looking for a big sock before I sleep at around 7 or 8 o’clock at the evening of December 24 each year at my aunt’s house. I felt very much at home at my aunt’s house, especially during the Christmas season, where I was excited for the coming of Santa Claus. At our house there is no image of Santa Clause, nor were they waiting for his arrival. My mother became a member of the Church of God as early as 1934. Since then, they have stopped celebrating Christmas like they used to do when they were Catholics. My father and mother were devout Catholics. Until age 17, the coming of the Christmas season lifted my spirits yearly because my aunt and grandma taught me that this is the “greatest time of the year” being the supposed “birthday” of our Lord Jesus Christ. I have learned to respect the Christ of the Catholic Church – ignorantly. In my aunt’s house there was a big statue (even bigger than me) which they call the “sacred heart of Jesus”. I was taught to give the utmost reverence on this statue. I had to bow down my head when I walked in front of it and I could not even point my finger towards it, which I deeply regretted upon knowing the true Christ of the Bible.

The morning of December 25 was a special morning for me because I woke up with gifts inside and around the sock which I hung the night before by the window. Today, as I reminisce the past, I see a pitiful boy in me fifty-seven years ago; but more pitiful are those who have died not knowing what Christmas is and all the practices surrounding its celebration. I am lucky (thank God) to have found wisdom in the most educational book to follow – the Bible.

The story begins from Caesar Augustus that the entire world should be taxed:

Luke 2:1
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

Joseph and Mary, being from the tribe of David, have to travel from Galilee to Bethlehem (which is called the city of David) to be “enrolled” and taxed. This was the particular time of the year when Mary should deliver the child Jesus.

Luke 2:3-7 (RSV)
3 And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
5 to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered.
7 And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

On that same evening, the evangelist Luke tells us that there were shepherds in the fields watching over their flock to whom the angels announce the birth of the savior Jesus Christ.

Luke 2:8-11
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

At this juncture, let us pause for a while and think. Could all of these happen on the 25th of December?

No Roman emperor as wise as Caesar Augustus (refuted to have changed the political and financial system of the Roman Empire to start a “new order”, which firmly established the empire for the next two centuries and was called as the “Golden Age of Rome’s Empire”), will order a census for the purposes of taxation, on December or in winter – rendering it impossible for Christ to be born on December 25 when the landscape of the Holy Land was filled with snow, making it very difficult to travel. Using simple common sense, no shepherd will bring out his sheep at night when fields were covered with knee-deep snow. The infamous term “three kings”, incidentally, is not mentioned in the Bible, wouldn’t have traveled to look for a new-born baby – in winter!

Matthew 2:1-6
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 and thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

It is hard to believe that the “three kings” traveled alone on such a considerable distance in winter. 

David, being a king that he is, travels with six hundred men with him. It is a pitiful sight to behold “three kings” travelling all by themselves.

1 Samuel 23:13
Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbore to go forth.

The complex errors created by the Catholic celebration of Christmas have gone too far in influencing even supposedly intelligent composers and songwriters. The First Noel has a very beautiful melody, but has disgusting lyrics influenced by the ignorance of the Catholics belief on Christmas. The line “on a cold winter’s night that was so deep” made stupid out of the shepherd by bringing their flock on a winter’s night.

“The First Noel, the Angels did say

Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay

In fields where they lay keeping their sheep

On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel

Born is the King of Israel!”

To add insult to the ignorance, the church in Rome assigned the birth of Jesus on December 25 which was the feast of the pagan sun god of the Roman Empire.

Christian Overlays of Christmas

Two important contributions that the reign of Constantine wrought were the establishments of the dates of Christmas and Easter. However, neither holidays are unique and original to the church, they are overlays of much earlier traditions, and both are connected to the sun, the former to the winter solstice and the latter to the vernal equinox. Again, the passage of the sun across the ecliptic demonstrates the astronomical motif that has been grafted onto the Christian god.

Constantine may not have completely established the date of Christmas, but what is clear is that he had considerable influence in setting the date of December 25 as Christ’s birthday. After Constantine’s victory, in perhaps 320 or 353 C.E. the church decreed that December 25 would become the standard day of observance for the birth of Christ. However, this date had long been recognized in antiquity as the return of the sun, for in ancient times, before the establishment of the Gregorian calendar, December 25 was the date of the winter solstice, the point when the sun has reached its southern most trek below the equator, where it appears to stand still for three days…

…Pope Julius I, in the fourth century commanded a committee of bishops to establish the date of the nativity of Jesus. December 25 (the day of Sol Invictus, the invincible sun) was decided upon. Not coincidentally, that is the day when the “pagan world celebrated the birth of their Sun Gods-Egyptian Osiris, Greek Apollo and Bacchus, Chaldean Adonis, Persian Mithra-when the Zodiacal sign of Virgo (the sun is born of a virgin) rose on the horizon. Thus the ancient festival of the Winter Solstice, the pagan festival of the birth of the Sun, came to be adopted by the Christian Church as the nativity of Jesus, and was called Christmas” (Crosbie). The church found itself:


The wise men (not the three kings) followed a star (not hanging on a “tree” because there was no tree associated with the birth of Jesus) to locate the baby Jesus on a house and not on a manger because no loving parents would let their new-born baby to tarry on manger. They eventually moved to a house as the crowd that came to Bethlehem who filled all the inns during the height of the census period presumably have turned back home.

Matthew 2:9-11
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

The facts about…

Christmas tree

Truth about Christmas

Santa Claus

Who is Santa Claus

The errors that resulted from ignorance on facts are uncorrectable. Until today, Santa Claus dominates the landscape on Christmas season. Catholics were not duly informed of the disappearance of Santa Claus in their roster of saints. If we are to adopt the international concept of Ignorantia juris non excusat, which historically came from the Roman Empire itself, many Roman Catholics will be losing their salvation because of a belief on a false Christ born on a false date, surrounded with false teachings, and a celebration so highly commercialized — unreachable by the poor for whom the real Christ was born for; but, ignorance is pardonable upon the acceptance of truth.

This topic to follow God willing.

Truly yours in Christ,

Bro. Eli Soriano

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The Literature of the Bible is Superbly Excellent!

12/19/2015 , 257 Comments


As a book, the Bible can be trusted as being the highest degree of literary work. Words used in the Bible came directly from the Creator, the origin of information that expresses His thoughts and wisdom to His created beings like humans. Words used by God Himself must be acknowledged and believed with our highest respect. They are pure!

PSALMS 12:6 
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

They are true!

JOHN 17:17 
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

They must be spoken by a preacher as they were spoken by God.

JEREMIAH 26:2 
Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’s house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’s house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word

Even the Lord Jesus, though He is the Son, faithfully spoke God’s word!

JOHN 12:49 
For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

Inventing words or using man-made synonyms is an utter disrespect to God who originally chose the words that He speaks.

People seem to be irreverently choosing words or phrases other than the word used by God in a particular occasion. A good example is the word used in Matthew 16:18 when the Lord said "...upon this rock I will build "my church" or "ἐκκλησία" or "ekklēsia" (ek-klay-see'-ah) in Greek or " קהל" or "qâhâl" (kawhal) in Hebrew.

The community of God's people is called "the Church of God" in the Bible.

THE ACTS 20:28 
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

But other people chose to be called "Jehovah's Witnesses", substituting the word "witnesses" to the word "church" used to describe God's congregation!

Others, although using the word "church," changed rebelliously the name "Church of God" to "Wesleyan Church" or "Presbyterian Church" or "Lutheran Church", etc.

A faithful servant of God must respect to use the word of God which God used in a particular occasion to show complete submission to His wisdom!

MATTHEW 4:4 
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

The reasons why the word “pope” is not found in the Bible are:

(1) There is no office in the church created by God as the office of the pope, and

(2) The Apostle Peter, which the Catholics allege to be the first pope, was never a pope!

I CORINTHIANS 12:28 
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

If the office of the apostles is the first in the church, and Peter was one of the first apostles called by Christ, then it is apparent that the office of the Pope, which the Catholics invented, is non-existent in the Bible! The office of the pope is the most important office in the entire Catholic Church. He is the head of the entire organization.


How can the Catholic Church be the true church when the highest office in it is nowhere to be found in the Bible! Moreover, if the Catholic Church were the true church founded by the Lord Jesus Christ, “the gates of hell must not prevail against it!” Is this true in the office of the pope? We will let Catholic authorities answer.


The phrase, “most notorious” means there were so many notorious popes in the history of Roman Catholicism! Can anyone now prove that there really was an undisturbed and unbroken succession of power from the Apostle Peter up to the present pope? When the leaders of the Israelites became subject to the “gates of hell” (Gate is a passage to enter into a particular place, and evil is the gate of hell), God left them, and so there was no God with them.

II CHRONICLES 15:3 
Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.

Why? Because they commercialized religion!

MICAH 3:11 
The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.

Isn’t it true that Catholic priests perform for money? Baptisms, confirmations, marriage ceremonies, masses and so many other rituals are paid for by members of the Catholic Church.  With this happening in Roman Catholicism, is it true that “none evil can come upon them?” Even the office of the pope, the highest in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, was stricken by all sorts of evil in the long history of the Catholic Church. Currently there are complaints of so many sorts of abuses popular enough to merit an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records.


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Experience is a Good Teacher; but the Lord of the Bible is the Best!

12/11/2015 276 Comments


I salute the noble objectives of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). In my country, I know of commissioners in the CHR who are impartial and stand by their principles and integrity. They deserve the highest commendation for it is due them.

ROMANS 13:7 
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

To be impartial and equitable in the disposition of a case while someone is surrounded by threats and influence peddlers, more so, if these influence peddlers are holding high positions in government is not a very easy task to do.

A person who does not steal cannot out rightly be tagged as honest and not a thief. An honest person (and not a thief) is someone who does not steal even when there is a chance to do so. A person who stands in the principles of justice even under pressure is a just person.

I know that this has been the situation of those who handled my petition in the CHR-NCR who decided in favor of me against a government official whom they found out to have violated my human rights. For this and their effort I pray that they may be rewarded by the Almighty.

To give honor and praises to whom they are not due is the highest of folly that a man may commit.

PROVERBS 24:24 (RSV) 
He who says to the wicked, ” You are innocent, ” will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations… 

PROVERBS 15:5 (ASV) 
To respect the person of the wicked is not good, Nor to turn aside the righteous in judgment.


But my appreciation is coupled with pity and sympathy to these people of integrity and courage in serving true justice.

The Commission on Human Rights in my country cannot prosecute those they have found to be guilty of violating human rights. The process is for them to recommend the filing of a case against an erring official to the Ombudsman. An Ombudsman, although, regarded as an independent official is appointed by the President. If the office of the Ombudsman will dismiss the petition of a complainant, the toils of the CHR are almost wasted. If the person complained of is appointed by the President; and the Ombudsman is also appointed of the President, can you guess what will happen to the complainant?

Experience is a good teacher; but the Lord of the Bible is the best!

JOB 9:24 
The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?

Many countries of the world are plagued with corruption and injustice. Corruption can not emanate from ordinary citizens. They come from corrupt officials and leaders.

MICAH 3:11 (NASB) 
Her leaders pronounce judgment for a bribe, Her priests instruct for a price And her prophets divine for money Yet they lean on the LORD saying, “Is not the LORD in our midst? Calamity will not come upon us.” 

But the true faces of corrupt leaders are hidden from the people because of their earthly wisdom and intelligence.

ECCLESIASTES 8:1 (RSV) 
Who is like the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his countenance is changed.

But no amount of make-up, wisdom, or hypocrisy can hide the true being of corrupt leaders from someone who knows the wisdom of God in the Bible. Mounting evidences will be easily discerned by the able guidance of the best teacher!

PROVERBS 29:2 
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

Unrest and discontent are symptoms of a prevailing culture of corruption in any government.

PROVERBS 29:2 (ASV) 
When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh.

Sighs and mourning of people will definitely determine the cause of the illness in society.

Although in the religious sector, I have been in media for the last three decades. I have mingled with the best and known personalities in media. I have been a guest in almost all kinds of television and radio programs. It was not until now, very recently, that I have known that media men covering some ‘political developments’ were tied like pigs by authorities. I am lucky I was not there. In my opinion, this is another violation of human rights, especially of press people, but I cannot advise them to file a case with the Commission on Human Rights because they might experience my good teacher. It certainly will not be a pleasant experience. Our only hope for true justice is in the judgment seat of God.

ECCLESIASTES 12:14 
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Somebody told me, that somebody (maybe a false apostle) who commented “…pinakawalan na sila, hindi sila finaylan (no case was filed against them)…” (“… they were freed and were not charged”); I heard what he said, “I sympathize with you. I pity you if you do not feel pity for yourself because what you have said must not be said by a person of an expected caliber that others presume you have.” To this I say, “No comment.” But the Bible has this to say:

JUDE 1:10 
But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

To our people in media, next time don’t be too close in covering any event, your braveness might bring you to jail. It is good if you would be like Enoch.

HEBREWS 11:5 (NIRV) 
Enoch walked with God. Then he couldn’t be found, because God took him from this life.

Sincerely in Christ,

Brother Eli

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Stop! Suicide Is Never a Solution, Period.

12/04/2015 303 Comments


Bro. Eli, 

Is it sin to commit suicide? 

Sincerely, 

Suicide is the only solution

Dear Suicide is the only solution,

Suicide is only for fools who do not believe in the power of God. In this world, we will experience tribulations. Things that make us feel uncomfortable are all around us. You are not the only person troubled.

JOHN 16:33 
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Statistically speaking the incidence of suicide is constantly rising.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that each year approximately one million people die from suicide, which represents a global mortality rate of 16 people per 100,000 or one death every 40 seconds. It is predicted that by 2020 the rate of death will increase to one every 20 seconds. 

The WHO further reports that: 

In the last 45 years suicide rates have increased by 60% worldwide. Suicide is now among the three leading causes of death among those aged 15-44 (male and female). Suicide attempts are up to 20 times more frequent than completed suicides. 

Although suicide rates have traditionally been highest amongst elderly males, rates among young people have been increasing to such an extent that they are now the group at highest risk in a third of all countries. 

Mental health disorders (particularly depression and substance abuse) are associated with more than 90% of all cases of suicide. 

However, suicide results from many complex sociocultural factors and is more likely to occur during periods of socioeconomic, family and individual crisis (e.g. loss of a loved one, unemployment, sexual orientation, difficulties with developing one's identity, disassociation from one's community or other social/belief group, and honour). 

http://www.befrienders.org/suicide-statistics

I can say with confidence that my problems and responsibilities are much greater than most people I know, but I live in hope because I have trusted that what I cannot do can be done by my great God. He is greater than everything in this world.

1 JOHN 4:4 
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Maybe, you cannot see God but, He moves people and makes them instruments of His goodwill to help someone like you.

Believe in the power of prayer! Pray and you will find peace and solutions to your problems — whatever they may be.

REVISED STANDARD VERSION 
PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7 
6 Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 
7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Committing suicide is idiotic. Normally, in all aspects of life, even in lower forms of being, like animals and birds, life is being defended and preserved. The ability to adapt oneself in an environment and special defense mechanism are present in almost all forms of life: teaching us that the preservation of life is a will of the divine Creator.

It is only God, and God alone, who has the unquestionable power to take life.

DEUTERONOMY 32:39 
See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.

He allows nobody to take life! A murderer, He condemns.

1 JOHN 3:15 
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

He does not allow anybody to take life from another human being, regardless of the intent or the excuse, anybody may assert. Even mercy killing or euthanasia is not an excuse.

God is most merciful.

PSALMS 103:8 
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

To say that anybody is killing anybody because it is an act of mercy, is tantamount to claiming that you are more merciful than God — and it is foolish.

God deals with people not only in this life, but through the hereafter, and no human perception can see what God has in store for anybody. He may let somebody in this life suffer a little but, there is reserved for him: Happiness in that which is to come.

1 CORINTHIANS 2:9 
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

REVELATION 2:10 
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days; be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

REVELATION 21:4 
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

And He that promises all these things can not lie.

TITUS 1:2 
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Lazarus suffered all his life. Nobody on earth knew then what is in store for him, but it was revealed in the afterlife.

LUKE 16:19-25 
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 
21 and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 
23 And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

Considering all these, and the dignity of the one who promised all these things, there is not an iota of reason for you to commit suicide.

Sincerely Yours,

Brother Eli Soriano

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The Idea Behind The Doctrine Of Bloc Voting

11/27/2015 231 Comments


The doctrine of voting in bloc for a politician is unique to the Iglesia ni Manalo. (Iglesia Ni Cristo is a misnomer for a group who does not believe in the deity of Christ.)

Fanatics who were misled by this false belief, vote as one, in fear of excommunication from the alleged one-and-only “true church” outside of which nobody will be saved.




This blatantly cruel judgment being passed to all people outside their church by Manalo and his cohorts is definitely not Biblical! The Manalo’s and his yes men have no right whatsoever to judge anybody outside of their church. Granting, (but not accepting) that their church is the true church, it is against the Bible to judge those who are outside.

I Corinthians 5:13 (Modern King James Version)
But God judges those who are outside. Therefore put out from you the evil one.

The Apostle Paul taught the true church in Corinth not to judge those who are outside but those who are in the church and do not live the Christian way of life.

I Corinthians 5:11-12 (Modern King James Version)
11 But now I have written to you not to associate intimately, if any man called a brother and is either a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one not to eat.
12 For what is it to me to also judge those who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside?

Only God has the power to judge everyone, even those outside the true church! And God, by His grace and mercy, may save even people who have no faith or those outside the true church.

I Timothy 4:10
For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those that believe.

Especially of those that believe means there is a chance of salvation to those who were not able to believe because of circumstances not of their control.

II Peter 2:21
For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

Romans 2:13-14
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

These verses sum up to one merciful conclusion: people who have not known the truth may be saved by God’s grace if they have done the good things contained in the law without the benefit of hearing it.

The doctrine of bloc voting is a subtle form of intimidation and coercion of this un-Christian church founded by Manalo and not by Christ! It is against the constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.
 
BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 881, OMNIBUS ELECTION CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, ARTICLE XXII, ELECTION OFFENSES

Section 261. Prohibited Acts. – The following shall be guilty of an election offense:

(d) Coercion of subordinates. –

(1) Any public officer, or any officer of any public or private corporation or association, or any head, superior, or administrator of any religious organization, or any employer or land-owner who coerces or intimidates or compels, or in any manner influence, directly or indirectly, any of his subordinates or members or parishioners or employees or house helpers, tenants, overseers, farm helpers, tillers, or lease holders to aid, campaign or vote for or against any candidate or any aspirant for the nomination or selection of candidates.

(2) Any public officer or any officer of any commercial, industrial, agricultural, economic or social enterprise or public or private corporation or association, or any head, superior or administrator of any religious organization, or any employer or landowner who dismisses or threatens to dismiss, punishes or threatens to punish be reducing his salary, wage or compensation, or by demotion, transfer, suspension, separation, excommunication, ejectment, or causing him annoyance in the performance of his job or in his membership, any subordinate member or affiliate, parishioner, employee or house helper, tenant, overseer, farm helper, tiller, or lease holder, for disobeying or not complying with any of the acts ordered by the former to aid, campaign or vote for or against any candidate, or any aspirant for the nomination or selection of candidates.

(e) Threats, intimidation, terrorism, use of fraudulent device or other forms of coercion. – Any person who, directly or indirectly, threatens, intimidates or actually causes, inflicts or produces any violence, injury, punishment, damage, loss or disadvantage upon any person or persons or that of the immediate members of his family, his honor or property, or uses any fraudulent device or scheme to compel or induce the registration or refraining from registration of any voter, or the participation in a campaign or refraining or desistance from any campaign, or the casting of any vote or omission to vote, or any promise of such registration, campaign, vote, or omission therefrom.

(f) Coercion of election officials and employees. – Any person who, directly or indirectly, threatens, intimidates, terrorizes or coerces any election official or employee in the performance of his election functions or duties.

Section 264. Penalties. – Any person found guilty of any election offense under this Code shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years and shall not be subject to probation. In addition, the guilty party shall be sentenced to suffer disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the right of suffrage. If he is a foreigner, he shall be sentenced to deportation which shall be enforced after the prison term has been served. Any political party found guilty shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than ten thousand pesos, which shall be imposed upon such party after criminal action has been instituted in which their corresponding officials have been found guilty.

In case of prisoner or prisoners illegally released from any penitentiary or jail during the prohibited period as provided in Section 261, paragraph (n) of this Code, the director of prisons, provincial warden, keeper of the jail or prison, or persons who are required by law to keep said prisoner in their custody shall, if convicted by a competent court, be sentenced to suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period if the prisoner or prisoners so illegally released commit any act of intimidation, terrorism of interference in the election.

Any person found guilty of the offense of failure to register or failure to vote shall, upon conviction, be fined one hundred pesos. In addition, he shall suffer disqualification to run for public office in the next succeeding election following his conviction or be appointed to a public office for a period of one year following his conviction.

Their article of incorporation proves that their church was founded by Manalo and company, and not by Christ!
There is no doctrine that obliges any member of the true Christian church to vote for any politician. The doctrine of unity taught by Christ and the apostles does not include unity in giving your “yes” or support for people outside the true church, which according to Manalo are all destined to hell!

I Corinthians 1:10
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

They misinterpreted that the clause “in the same judgment” includes voting in a political exercise for a person outside their church who is of the devil, and if they will not vote for such person chosen by their leader, the member who disobeyed (who is supposed to go to heaven) will be excommunicated (thrown to hell) just because of someone who is destined to hell!


Coercion and intimidation by the leaders of the Iglesia ni Manalo is very evident in this Pasugo! Members are “obliged” to vote as their leader wish!


This is certainly wrong because the unity in judgment being mentioned by the apostle Paul does not include earthly or worldly affairs.

Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

II Timothy 2:3-4 (Modern King James Version)
3 Therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No one who wars tangles with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who chose him to be a soldier.

But what had inspired Manalo and cohorts to formulate this un-Christian doctrine of using members’ votes to entice politicians to seek for his endorsement?

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Blogging for Truth and Exposing Evil


Thanks for the award. My best appreciation to the organizers of the Philippine Blogging Awards 2015 for whatever award is in store for my blog site. They told me "it is a surprise." May God bless you!

I write not to be awarded honors from humans though. If awards come, they serve to extend my purpose of reaching out to more and more.

Early in the turn of this century, I found myself writing which activity I do not usually do. I was on forced exile then but I cannot stop preaching. It was then the commencement of what we now call "blogs" classified in different categories, and in my particular case I wrote about religion and society. So I began to write because my preaching was being restrained by persecutions in my country. 

Although hesitant at the beginning, I felt the urgency of expressing my faith, my belief, my grievances, my dislikes, my opinions, in the web because of the so many ills and wrongs of society to which I am a living witness. There is especially deceit and hypocrisy in what is regarded as the highest institution of morale in this planet that is religion.

I have written articles discussing religious beliefs, perceptions to truth, and inventions of lies, using the Bible as a tool. I know that almost, if not all religions, use the Bible as the standard of instruction. Even atheists attempt to use it for their own agenda. I have all the reason from the Bible and its teachings - from the prophets of old to the latest evangelists - to condemn commercialization in religion. For why should it be?

MICAH 3:11 
The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.

JEREMIAH 5:26-27 
26 For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. 
27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.

II CORINTHIANS 2:17 (RSV)
For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word; but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

As warned by Jeremiah, wicked men set up traps in their houses of deceit and that is how they became rich and great. In order to carry on commercialization, men corrupt the word of God. Time and again, I would attack such acts as witnessed by my blogs.

Because of my approach, my blogs earn for me a host of enemies and detractors using the web not to refute the biblical principles I am preaching but to destroy my person. They attacked me with false accusations and all sorts of defamation but one by one these are being dismissed by courts in the Philippines where invented criminal cases were filed against me.

Allow me to repeat the list of those dismissed cases that I previously mentioned –

(1) Libel case (Criminal Case 5957) – DISMISSED.
The INC complainants headed by Bernardo Santiago failed to prove “beyond reasonable doubt” that there was malice in the statements purportedly uttered by Soriano in his televised broadcast on Sept. 7, 2001. This case was dismissed seven years after it was filed. In an eight-page decision penned by Josephine Zarate Fernandez, Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court, Fourth Judicial Region, Branch 76 of San Mateo Rizal, TV Broadcaster Eliseo F. Soriano was acquitted of the charge of libel. The order signed on January 14, 2014 said that malice was not proven beyond reasonable doubt. (Courts Acquit Bro. Eli for the Second Time this Year on Cases Filed by Iglesia ni Cristo Members, www. kotawinters.wordpress.com, 5/2/2014)

(02) Attempted Murder (Criminal Cases Nos. 2002-4236-MK) – DISMISSED.
Bernardo Santiago of the Iglesia ni Cristo had filed a case of attempted murder against Bro. Eli Soriano and his companions. Docketed as Criminal Cases Nos. 2002-4236-MK and referring to September 4, 2001, the same date he and Dr. Pascua were visiting the Jimenez couple, private complainant Bernardo Santiago alleged that accused Soriano acted in conspiracy with the others to kill him.

According to the order dismissing the case, the prosecution presented Witnesses Glen Fernandez and Rommel Elbambuena who both heard one of the accused say, “Patayin yan! Patayin yan! Utos ni Ingkong!” (Kill him! Kill him! Order of Ingkong!) Ingkong is a monicker for Bro. Eli Soriano.

Judge Geraldine Fiel-Macaraig of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 192 of Marikina City, however, dismissed the case for insufficiency of evidence on February 11, 2010. Conspiracy was not proven. (Bro. Eli Soriano wins Case Vs. Iglesia ni Cristo: “Killing Fields” and “Katayan” Comment not Libelous, kotawinters.wordpress.com, 3/8/2014)

(03) 1st Motion to Declare Eliseo Soriano as Fugitive from Justice – DENIED.
The complainants in Criminal Case 5957 (For Libel) at the Regional Trial Court, Fourth Judicial Region, Branch 76 of San Mateo Rizal, Philippines sought a motion to declare accused Eliseo Soriano a fugitive from justice and to issue a hold departure against him.

However, in a decision signed by Judge Josephine Zarate Fernandez on August 31, 2007, the motion was denied. Soriano’s counsel had underscored that his client is under intense persecution by the INC, explaining his failure to return to the country. https://kotawinters.wordpress.com/tag/josephine-zarate-fernandez/

(04) 2nd Motion to Declare Eliseo Soriano as Fugitive from Justice – DENIED.
Despite a court denial, in 2007, two years later, the complainants in Criminal Case 06-248365 (For Libel) at the Regional Trial Court, National Capital Region, Branch 8, Manila also sought a motion to declare accused Eliseo Soriano a fugitive from justice. The court this time took pains to explain the meaning of “fugitive from justice” as one already “convicted by final judgment.” Until proven guilty, an accused is considered innocent.

In a decision penned by Presiding Judge Felixberto T. Olalia, Jr. on December 15, 2009, in the absence of evidences to support accusations, the court said the accused cannot be declared a “fugitive from justice,” thereby the motion was denied. Among others, the decision said the prosecution admitted that the accused left the country before the filing of the case (September 5, 2006), therefore the intent to evade prosecution is not present. (Eli Soriano Not Fugitive from Justice: Two Courts Deny Motions. www.kotawinters.wordpress.com, 10/22/2014)

(05) Criminal Case No. QO4-126059 for Libel – ACQUITTED.
A topic on “Eternal Life” led two panelists of the Ang Dating Daan TV program discussing news items mentioning Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) members as killers. Eternal life would not accommodate such people, they concluded.

Joselito Mallari and Wilfredo Santiago were commenting on three news items published in three local newspapers in their TV program. As a result the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) represented by Bienvenido C. Santiago filed charges against them on March 31, 2004 for the crime of libel.

The complaint accused these panelists of “intending to convey malicious and offensive insinuations and imputations that are destructive and tends to destroy the name and reputation of the Iglesia ni Cristo with no good justifiable motive but solely for the purposes of maligning, besmirching the name, honor, character and reputation of said offended party and to expose them as in fact they were exposed to public hatred and ridicule to their damage and prejudice.”

The court, however, acquitted these Ang Dating Daan TV panelists recently.

In a 13-page decision penned by Presiding Judge Manuel B. Sta. Cruz, Jr. of the Regional Trial Court, NCJR, Branch 226 for Criminal Case No. QO4-126059, Joselito “Josel” Mallari and Wilfredo “Willy” Santiago are acquitted of the crime of Libel for failure of the prosecution to prove all the elements of the crime charged, thus failing to establish the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt. (Court Acquits ADD “Eternal Life” Discussants from Libel Charge, https://kotawinters.wordpress.com)

Some broadsheets and tabloids have covered these cases like People’s tonight. Here were other cases dismissed (From our records at Legal Department) –

(06) People of the Philippines (Elma Morales) vs. EFS / Libel / RTC Marikina br. 193 / Crim Case No. 2002-4178 – Dismissed on Oct. 29, 2004;

(07) People of the Philippines (Elma Morales) vs. EFS / Libel / RTC Marikina br. 193 / Crim Case No. 2002-4179 – Dismissed on Oct. 29, 2004;

(08) People of the Philippines (Elma Morales) vs. EFS / Libel / RTC Marikina br. 193 / Crim Case No. 2002-4180 – Dismissed on Oct. 29, 2004;

(09) People of the Philippines (Ber Santiago) vs. EFS / Attempted Murder / RTC Marikina br. 192 / Crim Case No. 2002-4463 – Dismissed on Feb. 11, 2010;

(10) Mayor Tirso G. Lacanilao V. EFS / Violation of Building Permit / Office of the Provincial Prosecutor, San Fernando Pampanga / I.S. # 07-B-506 – Dismissed on Feb. 15, 2011;

(11) Apalit Municipal Police Station et.al. vs. EFS et. al. / Obstruction of Justice / Office of the Provincial Prosecutor, San Fernando Pampanga/I.S. No. #: 05-L-3288-3289 – Dismissed on Aug. 24, 2010.

MATTHEW 5:11 
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

For all these unnecessary disturbance, I had been patient, getting comfort from the assurance of Christ that persecution is not the end of it all. The Lord would have to balance things as he promised for those speaking for truth.

I will repeat what I have said in a previous blog that if the record holder in this generation for the most number of false accusations and misdeeds pinned upon him is assessed, I would have to be that record holder. I believe I would be setting up an unprecedented record and be put in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most notorious or vile individual.

But thanks be to God for honest people who know how to discern truth from defamation, and truth from disinformation and jealousy.

For example, an uncorrupted source found faithful records stored by computers in a blog of mine worthy to be cited as the "Most Educational to Follow" in the Open Web Awards way back in 2009.

My blog (esoriano.wordpress.com) has consistently been nominated and had won these awards: (1) Most Educational to Follow (Mashable, 2009); (2) Most Popular Website, and People’s Choice in blogs category, 11th Philippine Web Awards, 2009); and (3) People’s Choice, 12th Philippine Web Awards, 2011.

11th Philippine Web Awards (February 2009) – 2009 Most Popular Website and the People’s Choice in Blogs Category 

12th Philippine Web Awards (2011) – People’s Choice Award
http://www.mcgi.org/mcgi-is-big-winner-in-philippine-web-awards/

I have just started this controversyextraordinary.com blog that is being awarded “a surprise.” [The blog was awarded the "Overall People's Champion", a major prize, and "People's Choice Award in the Society and Politics Category" of the Bloggys 2015.]

Already in 3 months time, it had garnered more than 3 million views and now remains the Number 1 under Religion category. If it was entered in the #bloggys2015 contest, it is primarily to spread truth as I had intended it to – as always.

And thanks again for this latest surprise special award. I just want to reiterate and inculcate in the minds of my readers one thing I feel from the bottom of my heart. I write not to be awarded honors from humans. The most pleasing feeling for me is when a person - even if he is the poorest of the poor - is enlightened by the words of God that I never forget to present in each of the blog I compose.

Glory be to God.

Sincerely yours,
Brother Eli Soriano

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Fear for One's Life Vs. the Dark Secrets of Others

11/14/2015 260 Comments


It is natural for man to fear what could snuff out his life and those of his loved ones. It is also natural that one cannot live long hiding secrets of wrongdoing, especially the dark secrets of others.

God placed the natural feelings of man and his proclivity, and that is why we can often tell what man would do in this and that situation.

Proclivity is defined as a tendency to choose or do something, an inclination or predisposition toward a particular thing. Man would ordinarily act the same when one’s life is in danger. It is the same for having to keep the secrets of wrongdoing.

The thought in the clause "ordinary promptings of man" which is deeply enshrined in the fabric of Philippine Constitution and other nations jive perfectly with the thought of the clause, "common sense".

Recent developments within the confines of the INC prove the power and the truthfulness of God's words.

PSALMS 12:6 
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

HEBREWS 4:12 
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

No human wisdom and technology can perfectly discern the intents of the heart but it is revealed by the powerful word of God. Secrets and things hidden cannot remain hidden, the Bible declares.

MATTHEW 10:26 
Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

There are people who keep matters in secret and "guard" them to the extent of committing evil and unlawful acts just to keep their secrets hidden! But what is human's ordinary prompting is to show every good and every perceived good to people and to hide sins and faults!

PROVERBS 28:13 
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Surely, there are people who will never admit faults publicly, and there are those who are barefaced enough and shameless enough to do every measure even the brazen, unblushing, and stupid just to hide the evil he is doing.

The INC leadership deny that they have abducted and illegally detained members and ministers who came out in the open to reveal the most guarded secrets of the "cult” which revelation started from the blog iglesianicristosilentnomore at Wordpress that became https://iglesianicristoneverkeepsilent.wordpress.com

Why are ministers and members of the INC coming out in the open especially in the social media declaring the same thing? "Our lives are in danger,” they all claim. It is within the "ordinary promptings of man" to fear for one’s life and the lives of his loved ones.

http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/105998-inc-isaias-samson-expulsion-life-danger

http://kickerdaily.com/iglesia-ni-cristo-minister-abduction-illegal-detention/

Logic dictates that these ministers, expelled for their revelations, know what is happening within the realm of their organization! The gravity is that even the siblings and the mother of the leader of this religious group confessed publicly that their lives are in danger. The same is true for those that were abducted in their church. (NOTE: I used the term "religious group," but in my mind, such is not a religious group!)

Here are Angel Manalo and Tenny Manalo, brother and mother respectively of Eduardo Manalo, the incumbent Executive Minister of the INC.


There is a pattern of harassment that these ministers and members expelled from the INC are revealing when they exposed “corruptions” and other wrong doings of the administrative body of their church!

First, invention of criminal cases against them.

Second, destroying their reputation.

Third, using the arm of the law, which by the influence of their church can be assessed as both quick and slow against and in favor of the complainant depending on who was complaining. Let me explain.

The same thing happened to me. A case of rape was filed by the INC against me sometime in 2005. From the provincial prosecutor came a request that I be placed in the "watch list" immediately. The Bureau of Immigration granted it quick.

According to my lawyer, the former Solicitor General Frank Chavez, the provincial prosecutor has no constitutional right to request that I be put in the Immigrations’ Watch List. When Atty. Frank Chavez filed a petition against the order putting me in the Watch List, the same officer immediately lifted the order.

That act of putting me in the Watch List by common sense and logic can be inferred to as illegal! After all, I should be presumed innocent in the eyes of the law until proven otherwise in the proper venue!

News circulating from the group calling themselves INC Defenders claim that the leader of the INC and the Sanggunian went out of the country already. Can this mean a preparation for what is expected to happen?

http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/inside-track/111504-trip-japan-eduardo-manalo-iglesia-ni-cristo

My prayer is that the hand of the law be allowed to move freely within the bounds of the constitution.

Another recent development that may logically be a support to the claim that there are really illegal detentions happening is this. The death of the driver of Angel Manalo inside the compound of the INC who was not given the right to be attended to by a doctor or be placed under medical supervision in a hospital is to my opinion a glaring evidence!

Here’s Samson announcing Arellano's death



This is the Report about Arrellano's death


Even lawyer Trixie Angeles was not allowed to enter to see the condition of the people allegedly being held against their will.

Atty. Angeles and doctors not allowed to enter the compound


If I were a judge, "ordinary promptings of man,” and logic and common sense would guide me in determining the guilt of the accused.

If I were a prosecutor, these things are enough for me to see a prima facie evidence of the case filed against them by not only two or three witnesses (The number is biblically binding) but many.

HEBREWS 10:28 
He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

II CORINTHIANS 13:1 
This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

Menorca's helper denies detention allegation


We can always depend on the words of God. Even the courts can be helped with their decisions through understanding the ordinary promptings of man.

More analysis to come, God willing.

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Lies May Hurt Much But Let us Pray


Patience and waiting for what God can do, can pay off. Ten years or more of suffering is not too long. Let us trust in God and not take things into our hands when we are being mistreated. We only have to do our work and pray.

For those of you who know me, my name is ubiquitous on the Internet – made partially by those who enjoy lies and churning lies. If there is one who can win by plurality of hate material, it would have to be me. There is nothing evil that has not been pinned on me yet. In sum, I win by being the vilest person according to these posts. Even those at the Interpol were forced to know who I am. But fortunately they changed their mind - when truth made its way.

Yes, let us pray.

Prayers came from heaven as the Lord Jesus Christ taught it:

MATTHEW 5:44-45 
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

I am accustomed to praying for my loved ones everyday of my life as the Apostle Paul to Timothy, his beloved son in faith.

II TIMOTHY 1:2-3 
2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 
3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

But current developments in the religious world reminds me to pray for the people who physically and spiritually have caused me so much heartaches and inconveniences in the past – even today.

Tables have turned; they are now in trouble, and I realize the ordeal of these people. I found myself saying a simple prayer that God may have mercy upon them.

So that is how cruel they are! They’ve done much harm to me and the organization that I lead so that things are familiar to me. As others say, there are patterns that emerge.

The world knows how much they’ve wanted me humiliated. Who would have placed me as WANTED in the Interpol as a criminal for “sex crimes?” No one but the beast of beasts! The Internet is full of it; but the Lord Almighty whom I serve is not bound. This evil is expected from enemies of truth.

Never did I imagine that they would be doing similar things to those of their own. I can feel the frustration and bitterness in the heart of this woman as I watched the video of Jinky Menorca. She was relating the inhuman treatment accorded her and her family especially to her husband, ex-minister of the INC, Lowell Menorca.

May the Lord who knows every truth about every perverted report in media have mercy upon this family. Even their lawyers are now suffering the same ordeal that they have.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/11/05/15/ex-inc-ministers-lawyer-slapped-with-disbarment-rap

Who would imagine these things to happen? A common housewife like the mother of Abegail, the house help of Menorca has the guts to file disbarment case to this lawyer, Atty. Trixie Cruz- Angeles! What did this poor woman know about disbarment? But first, a woman tries to snatch Abegail from the court – a woman she claims she does not even know! The lawyer from the other side claims it is the mother. Drama! So much drama we read from the papers these days, but they go on.

I see a pattern that these could only be the work of the hands working in the dark. It had happened in my case. Again, the Internet is full of these accusations against me.

There is this someone who has the propensity of inventing cases to harass people. Did it not happen to me? Menorca is obviously suffering now the same way I did – and still do. I sincerely believe those cases have been invented by the ministers of the INC. My prayers now are for the Menorca’s and for those who persecute me and the MCGI.

THE ROMANS 10:2,1
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

For those who do not know, the following are some of the cases that have been proven to be invented, contrived or fabricated. Let’s refer to Less Traveled Road (kotawinters.wordpress.com) that has chronicled some of these dismissed cases.

(01) Libel case (Criminal Case 5957) – DISMISSED. The INC complainants headed by Bernardo Santiago failed to prove “beyond reasonable doubt” that there was malice in the statements purportedly uttered by Soriano in his televised broadcast on Sept. 7, 2001.


This case was dismissed seven years after it was filed. In an eight-page decision penned by Josephine Zarate Fernandez, Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court, Fourth Judicial Region, Branch 76 of San Mateo Rizal, TV Broadcaster Eliseo F. Soriano was acquitted of the charge of libel. The order signed on January 14, 2014 said that malice was not proven beyond reasonable doubt. (Courts Acquit Bro. Eli for the Second Time this Year on Cases Filed by Iglesia ni Cristo Members, www. kotawinters.wordpress.com, 5/2/2014)

You can also read: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/600843/court-dismisses-libel-case-vs-televangelist#ixzz3qlhUhLvc

 (02) Attempted Murder (Criminal Cases Nos. 2002-4236-MK) - DISMISSED
Bernardo Santiago of the Iglesia ni Cristo had filed a case of attempted murder against Bro. Eli Soriano and his companions. Docketed as Criminal Cases Nos. 2002-4236-MK and referring to September 4, 2001, the same date he and Dr. Pascua were visiting the Jimenez couple, private complainant Bernardo Santiago alleged that accused Soriano acted in conspiracy with the others to kill him.

According to the order dismissing the case, the prosecution presented Witnesses Glen Fernandez and Rommel Elbambuena who both heard one of the accused say, “Patayin yan! Patayin yan! Utos ni Ingkong!” (Kill him! Kill him! Order of Ingkong!) Ingkong is a monicker for Bro. Eli Soriano.

Judge Geraldine Fiel-Macaraig of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 192 of Marikina City, however, dismissed the case for insufficiency of evidence on February 11, 2010. Conspiracy was not proven. (Bro. Eli Soriano wins Case Vs. Iglesia ni Cristo: “Killing Fields” and “Katayan” Comment not Libelous, kotawinters.wordpress.com, 3/8/2014)



Judge dismisses case of attempted murder, Feb 11, 2010. No evidence of alleged conspiracy.

(03) 1st Motion to Declare Eliseo Soriano as Fugitive from Justice – DENIED.
The complainants in Criminal Case 5957 (For Libel) at the Regional Trial Court, Fourth Judicial Region, Branch 76 of San Mateo Rizal, Philippines sought a motion to declare accused Eliseo Soriano a fugitive from justice and to issue a hold departure against him.

However, in a decision signed by Judge Josephine Zarate Fernandez on August 31, 2007, the motion was denied. Soriano’s counsel had underscored that his client is under intense persecution by the INC, explaining his failure to return to the country. https://kotawinters.wordpress.com/tag/josephine-zarate-fernandez/

(04) 2nd Motion to Declare Eliseo Soriano as Fugitive from Justice – DENIED.
Despite a court denial, in 2007, two years later, the complainants in Criminal Case 06-248365 (For Libel) at the Regional Trial Court, National Capital Region, Branch 8, Manila also sought a motion to declare accused Eliseo Soriano a fugitive from justice. The court this time took pains to explain the meaning of “fugitive from justice” as one already “convicted by final judgment.” Until proven guilty, an accused is considered innocent.

In a decision penned by Presiding Judge Felixberto T. Olalia, Jr. on December 15, 2009, in the absence of evidences to support accusations, the court said the accused cannot be declared a “fugitive from justice,” thereby the motion was denied. Among others, the decision said the prosecution admitted that the accused left the country before the filing of the case (September 5, 2006), therefore the intent to evade prosecution is not present. (Eli Soriano Not Fugitive from Justice: Two Courts Deny Motions. www.kotawinters.wordpress.com, 10/22/2014)

Judge denies motion to declare Bro. Eli, the accused, a “fugitive from justice,” in the absence of evidences to support accusations. Take note that this is the second attempt.

(05) Criminal Case No. QO4-126059 for Libel - ACQUITTED
This court acquittal marks another victory for MCGI on the lot of libel cases filed by the Iglesia ni Cristo against the former’s ministers. A topic on “Eternal Life” led two panelists of the Ang Dating Daan TV program discussing news items mentioning Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) members as killers. Eternal life would not accommodate such people, they concluded.
Joselito Mallari and Wilfredo Santiago were commenting on three news items published in three local newspapers in their TV program. As a result the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) represented by Bienvenido C. Santiago filed charges against them on March 31, 2004 for the crime of libel.

The complaint accused these panelists of “intending to convey malicious and offensive insinuations and imputations that are destructive and tends to destroy the name and reputation of the Iglesia ni Cristo with no good justifiable motive but solely for the purposes of maligning, besmirching the name, honor, character and reputation of said offended party and to expose them as in fact they were exposed to public hatred and ridicule to their damage and prejudice.”

The court, however, acquitted these Ang Dating Daan TV panelists recently.

In a 13-page decision penned by Presiding Judge Manuel B. Sta. Cruz, Jr. of the Regional Trial Court, NCJR, Branch 226 for Criminal Case No. QO4-126059, Joselito “Josel” Mallari and Wilfredo “Willy” Santiago are acquitted of the crime of Libel for failure of the prosecution to prove all the elements of the crime charged, thus failing to establish the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt. (Court Acquits ADD “Eternal Life” Discussants from Libel Charge, https://kotawinters.wordpress.com)

Some broadsheets and tabloids have covered these cases like People’s tonight.



Here were other cases dismissed (From our records at Legal Department) -

(06) People of the Philippines (Elma Morales) vs. EFS / Libel / RTC Marikina br. 193 / Crim Case No. 2002-4178 – Dismissed on Oct. 29, 2004;

(07) People of the Philippines (Elma Morales) vs. EFS / Libel / RTC Marikina br. 193 / Crim Case No. 2002-4179– Dismissed on Oct. 29, 2004;

(08) People of the Philippines (Elma Morales) vs. EFS / Libel / RTC Marikina br. 193 / Crim Case No. 2002-4180– Dismissed on Oct. 29, 2004;

(09) People of the Philippines (Ber Santiago) vs. EFS / Attempted Murder / RTC Marikina br. 192 / Crim Case No. 2002-4463- Dismissed on Feb. 11, 2010;

(10) Mayor Tirso G. Lacanilao V. EFS / Violation of Building Permit / Office of the Provincial Prosecutor, San Fernando Pampanga / I.S. # 07-B-506- Dismissed on Feb. 15, 2011;

(11) Apalit Municipal Police Station et.al. vs. EFS et. al. / Obstruction of Justice / Office of the Provincial Prosecutor, San Fernando Pampanga/I.S. No. #: 05-L-3288-3289 - Dismissed on Aug. 24, 2010.

 These things do happen and those who understand that there are children of disobedience can also understand that there are forces of evil at work.

 But God is faithful; He knows when balance has to be restored. He knows the sufferings of the innocent. For those who are patient, we can always trust in God that truth can always conquer lies.

 I enjoin every God-fearing netizen to join me in prayers for the pitiful victims of human cruelty. May God have mercy upon this generation.

Truly Yours,

Bro. Eli

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Contradicting God's Truth: Why INC is not Sanctified

10/31/2015 371 Comments


In the midst of what is happening today with the Iglesia ni Cristo, it is important that we learn to distinguish what is true from what is false.

When the supposed victims come out to cry to the public how they had been treated unfairly, they end up saying they come from a true church. But we can always resort to God’s guidance from the Bible to learn what is truth. Let us go to the basics. Who instituted truth if not the maker of all things?

Let us first dwell with the characteristics of truth – God’s truth or absolute truth.

First, truth can sanctify. The best thing with truth is that it blesses the carrier and upholder of it. It purifies the heart. Sanctification is one of the things God’s truth is able to do.

JOHN 17:17 
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Second, truth is absolute. God’s truth is absolute truth. He does not lie because He cannot lie and it is "impossible" for Him to lie.

TITUS 1:2 
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

HEBREWS 6:18 
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Third, truth has proper locations. Truth knows its proper place. It is with God, the Father, that is rightfully defined by the Lord Jesus Christ in John 17:17 as "Thy truth.”

It is also with the Lord Jesus Christ as the Apostle Paul said.

EPHESIANS 4:21 
If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

It is also with the Holy Spirit.

JOHN 16:13 
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.

The truth can also be in a disciple.

II JOHN 1:1-2 
1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us forever.

III JOHN 1:3 
For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

Fourth, truth exists and never dies despite lies arising to cover it up. When one surfaces to reveal what he says are facts, another one comes up with a different version. But truth is there – known to the one who made us all. Take note that the opposite of truth is lie but which can never win over truth.

Fifth, but not the least, not loving the truth has a consequence: they shall be deluded who believe in lies or the opposite of truth.

II Thessalonians 2: 9-12 
9 [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Sixth, there is “gain” in turning away from truth but a woeful gain. One may reap material and physical profits, that in the first place is the reason why one turns away from truth and turn to lies. Ahead, I will tell you, this “gain” translates itself into punishment.

The Bible then indicates that there are "true pretenders"! They are genuine liars! They receive not the love of the truth but prefer the pleasures of unrighteousness. And for that, they are deluded into believing their lies. That is the sorry effect.

II CORINTHIANS 11:13-15 
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

While they may appear for a time as lights, like Satan, that light is not absolute because somewhere not perceivable by the simple, is great darkness! They may look like sheep, outwardly they really are, but something cruel is hidden!

MATTHEW 7:15 
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

JUDE 1:16 (ASV) 
These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaketh great swelling words), showing respect of persons for the sake of advantage.

In sum, the Bible has pointed out two truths: One is absolute truth called "God's truth." The other is evil in the guise of truth and, in fact, evil – that the world knows as lie. Those who believe it, really believe it as “truth” out of delusion that God had allowed. Such is the nature of lie or “truths” believed out of delusion. Absolute truth and truth from delusion (lies) are directly opposite each other.

The public has been treated by “truth” from abducted ministers and the mother and siblings of the Executive Minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo who is Eduardo Manalo. These were denied by the INC spokesman Edwil Zabala and the INC leadership who voiced out another “truth.” Which is which now? What they are saying are directly opposite each other– and, for a fact, are not my inventions.

I may call expelled ministers of the INC as my "hostile witnesses" to the witness stand to testify to these truths! They are Isaias Samson Jr., former editor-in-chief of the Pasugo, and Lowell Menorca II, also a minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo.


Isaias Samson, Jr. claims being illegally detained.





July 2015, at Net25, station of the INC, Lowell Menorca, middle, claims he was not abducted.



Three expelled INC ministers ran to Department of Justice to seek help, claim lives are in danger.


October 2015, Lowell Menorca goes on YouTube after Writ of Amparo and Writ of Habeas Corpus were granted by the Supreme Court, claims first declaration was scripted. 



October 2015, Lowell Menorca tells all about abduction (Rappler interview).

Let us look into what they claim first: Are they really in the true church? If they were, why are these things happening to them?

Heavy Consequence 

As we have discussed earlier, not believing in truth has a heavy consequence: One is that one is deluded to believe in lies. God allows that because of the refusal to believe in what is true. The preference for the pleasures of unrighteousness comes from Satan, the father of lies.

II Thessalonians 2: 9-12
9 [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

And for that, the INC is very full of lies, but let’s focus on just a few assertions that are often repeated.

Expelled INC Ministers Samson and Menorca claim and do believe that they are in the true church, and that outside, no one will be saved. Is this true?

Sanctification not Working with the INC

We have earlier said that the first characteristic of truth is that it purifies the believer or the one who upholds truth. Contrariwise, the one who believes lies is deluded to believe lies as “truth.” There is pleasure found in unrighteousness that they enjoy. We can therefore say, where there is no truth, purification does not happen.

A Pasugo article written by Eduardo V. Manalo, the incumbent Executive Minister, says in the vernacular, “Hindi maliligtas ang nasa labas ng Iglesia ni Cristo.” Translated, it reads, “Outside of the INC, no one can be saved.” He wrote this almost 40 years ago, and therefore this doctrine of theirs can be said to have been taught for 40 long years.



 Eraño Manalo, second generation Executive Minister, says those outside the INC are “sentenced to the fire.” He had been preaching for at least 50 years or half a century before he died. With that length of time preaching false doctrines, imagine the many people he had deceived!


What these two Manalos are preaching for a hundred years directly oppose God who says He would want everyone to be saved. He did not say what these Manalo’s are preaching.

I Timothy 2:3-4
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

We then see both father and son, who lead the INC, reinforcing each other in their false doctrines to trap people to their fold.

Corruption of the Soul

Our issue here is not the abduction or illegal detention of these expelled ministers but their claim that they are witnesses to the corruption in the core of “the one-and-only-true church.” The one and only true church? How sure are they?

If at all, the corruption that Samson and Menorca should be talking about should not be focused on siphoning money by those they accuse (material) but about the corruption in the teachings of the INC. That is the core of the true church – the teachings. Then and only then will they be assured that they are in the true church. If the teachings are true, there is no need for anyone of them siphoning the contributions of their poor members.

Investigations Needed

Investigations of Filipinos about this group have long been overdue! It is high time for my countrymen to know, according to biblical precepts, what kind of churchFelix Manalo established in the Philippines.

Here is what I can say: A church claiming to be the "true church,” the "only one" at that, but being feared by its own ministers and members for what it can do to them, may paradoxically be true! It is the true church of Satan!

No less than the widow of the former Executive Minister, Eraño Manalo, who is the mother of the incumbent Executive Minister, Eduardo Manalo, fears for her life and the lives of her children – the very siblings of the incumbent Executive Minister! By just revealing their knowledge about corruption in the core of their church, they were expelled! Shouldn’t the expected reaction be one of knowing the truth – let them tell what they know, and conduct investigations?

Here’s the mother wanting to talk to her son but from reports, the son never talked to her for six years – or since Eraño Manalo died.


Is there biblical possibility that the INC is a "true church?" I believe there is none!

I did not take it lightly when on Philippine television these ministers of Manalo publicly said that they would welcome me at the airport when I come back home with their brother Amurao, a funeral parlor, to fetch me. Below is footage from Net25, the INC station.



Here’s the signboard of Amurao’s funeral service. 

Am Vindicated

It is not because of cowardice but to spare other people's lives that I decided - although with heavy heart - to stay away from my beloved country!

These INC ministers were mocking and maligning me, saying I am a coward, and must return to the Philippines to face the invented cases they filed against me in Philippine courts!

Even Catholic Apologists are challenging me to go back to the Philippines to face these (false) charges against me.

Now, I know better: I am vindicated by what is being exposed by these ministers and members of the Iglesia ni Cristo. If their very own peers fear the leadership, it is wise for me to feel the same - not only for my life but also for the people who care for my safety!

I praise the Lord for all His love, His justice, and His care!

To Samson and Menorca

Those who do not know the truth and not uphold the truth are not being sanctified. They are not being cleansed from their wanton pleasures.

They know no bounds such that they find pleasure in lies as encouraged by the father of lies. I can tell you, the INC leadership have invented all those false charges they filed against me.

A church that teaches lies to trap people into it is a pit meant for evil people. My hope for Samson and Menorca and the likes of them is that they may still strive to find out the truth. Over and above complaining about siphoned money, they should instead go up a higher level and examine their beliefs. The world is not too narrow that they cannot find the means to do it. Truth has proper locations.

To God be all glory forever! Amen!

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