MACABEBE, Pampanga -- The arraignment of an evangelist who had been indicted for two counts of rape of his male follower in 2006, was reset to October 28.

Ang Dating Daan’s Ely Eliseo “Ely” Soriano's arraignment was reset by Judge Lupina Alpez-Dayaon of Branch 54 of the regional trial court here after the evangelist’s lawyer, Pacifico Rosal, filed a motion to reschedule the hearing that was originally scheduled on September 2, according to lawyer Leila Mae Estabillo, clerk of court.

Soriano, 61, did not appear in the September 2 arraignment, court records showed.

On August 29, Chief Superintendent Joaquin Alava of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Manila filed charges of falsification of public documents against Soriano and two others for allegedly faking the certificate of detention of Soriano in Pandacan so that he could post bail for the rape charges.

Soriano was charged together with Police Officer 3 June Gumaru and bondswoman Belen Talentado.

The documents of the falsification case have not been entered in the court's files for Criminal Cases 06-3898 and 3899M.

Daniel Veridiano, former assistant secretary general of the Members Church of God International, more known as the Ang Dating Daan, had accused Soriano of abusing his influence by directing him "to come into [Soriano's] room, massage him, and have anal intercourse."

In his counter-affidavit, Soriano said Veridiano's accusations were "fabricated, baseless and malicious." He said Veridiano was retaliating after he was expelled from the church.

The supposed order of release by Manila Judge Silvino Pampilo Jr. and the certification of detention by Gumaru, both dated June 21, are in the case's files at the Macabebe court. Soriano posted bail on the same day.

The same files did not have any record of Soriano's arrest. The court's calendar said Soriano had posted a "cash bond under his name."

The rape case was filed on May 2, 2006. Former RTC Branch 54 Judge Manuel Siangco issued the arrest warrants on May 8, 2006.

Estabillo said the case had been "archived" on Nov. 28, 2006, because Soriano could not be found by then.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer went to the Ang Dating Daan national convention center in Barangay (village) Sampaloc in Apalit town Monday to get the side of Soriano or his spokespersons.

After waiting for 35 minutes, the Inquirer was told by the security guard that no official was coming to give comments or update on the case.