Felix Nathaniel “Angel” Villanueva Manalo CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Some members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) have likewise been expelled just for showing sympathy to ousted Manalo family members who have been holing up at the family home on Tandang Sora avenue in Quezon City.
In a phone interview with the media on Thursday, Quezon City resident and teacher Sarah Manuel, 34, revealed she had been expelled from the INC on Wednesday night, just because she was one of those who held vigil outside the Manalo family home on Tandang Sora, Barangay Culiat exactly a week ago.
Last week, Manuel told members of the media she had rushed to the Manalo home after a video of Angel Manalo asking for help started to circulate online. Manuel was one of the first supporters who brought food to the Manalo home compound.
Manuel, even at that time, clarified she wasn’t looking for trouble, but had just been moved by the video and had wanted to help. For this knee-jerk concern, Manuel had been kicked out from the INC.
“I was seen outside #36 Tandang Sora Avenue,” Manalo said, when asked what the reason for expulsion was. “Kaso ng hindi pagpapasakop agad yun (It’s already a case of refusing to submit [to INC administration],” she said.
“Plus, they are convinced I know AE,” Manuel said. “AE” refers to a controversial blogger called “Antonio Ebangelista, who writes about alleged corruption of the INC Sanggunian (advisory council).
Although Manuel firmly denied having any ties to the blogger, the INC minister who had talked to her before her expulsion did not seem keen on hearing her side. “He told me ‘You know AE.’ He said it like a statement already, not a question. We really argued over it, but they wouldn’t even let me finish talking,” a frustrated Manuel said.
On Wednesday, a minister paid her a home visit to announce her expulsion. It was also announced during worship in church that night.”My friends called it an ‘express expulsion,'” Manuel said wryly, hinting at the lack of due process.
Even Manuel’s parents, also with the INC, had been barred from their duties in the church. “At first they were sad, but they said it couldn’t be helped. I couldn’t admit to knowing someone I really didn’t know,” Manuel said, in Filipino.
Manuel also expressed apprehension over her future as a student at the New Era University, which is run by the “legal department” of INC. “My
friends told me it might no longer be safe,” she said.
Manuel said four other INC members had been expelled on Wednesday night in her locality.
Meanwhile, one of those who had held vigil with Manuel last week, expelled INC minister Roel Rosal, who has been among those holing up with Angel Manalo inside the Manalo home, said Manuel “wasn’t the only one” who was expelled.
“If you are seen coming here, granting interviews to media, sympathizing with the [expelled] Manalos, you are instantly expelled. There is no investigation, no due process. [Expulsion] usually involves a long process, even two to three years,” Rosal said, in a phone interview.
Rosal and his wife had been expelled in June for sending a letter to INC executive minister Eduardo Manalo detailing how a Bulacan mayor would pay a “tagapangasiwa” (supervisor) for votes in the past election. Rosal said they were accused of going against the INC administration, which he accused of corruption.
The expulsion has caused them to be evicted from the housing for ministers, and has also caused trouble for their son, whose studies in New Era University have now been suspended.
“But in our hearts, we have not been expelled from the INC, just from the Sanggunian. We are fighting for our faith,” Rosal said.
Rosal continually urged his “brethren [kapatid]” to come to the Manalo home and show their support. “Fight for what it right. They can’t stop us if there are many of us,” he insisted.
He also urged Eduardo Manalo to come to the home to talk to Angel and his other siblings. “With just his presence here, everything will be resolved. This global shame would go away. That’s all we’re waiting for, because honestly, we’re already tired,” Rosal said.
Rosal said they would continually stay at the Manalo home. “Where else would we go? It is safer here because this is their home, a private property. We would be endangered outside. That’s why we even endeavor to bring our loved ones here,” Rosal said.
Earlier, Rosal said electricity and water had been cut off at the INC-owned compound. He said those inside were subsisting on food and water sent by supporters.
In an earlier interview with the media, also from the Manalo home, Angel asked to see his older brother Eduardo, and had also accused the Sanggunian of corruption.