Ex-minister vows to fight Iglesia’s Sanggunian ‘all the way’

Expelled INC minister Isaias Samson Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/TARRA QUISMUNDO

Despite fearing for his life, expelled Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) minister Isaias Samson Jr. said that he will pursue the harassment, illegal detention, threats and coercion complaint he filed against members of the Sanggunian, the INC’s highest administrative council.

In a telephone interview on ABS-CBN News Channe’s “Headstart” on Tuesday, Samson said that he will not withdraw his complaint against Sanggunian members Maximo Bularan, Rodelio Cabrerra, Radel G. Cortez, Eraño Codera, Rolando Esguerra, Mathusalem V. Pareja, Bienvenido C. Santiago, Sr., and Atty. Glicerio B. Santos Jr.

READ: Ex-minister files illegal detention complaint vs INC’s Sanggunian members | No action yet on raps vs Iglesia ni Cristo officials — DOJ

He said that INC members should understand that he is not fighting the religious sect but the alleged corruption done by Sanggunian members.

“I am not going against the Church. I am not going against our Executive Minister. I am going against the corruption rampantly committed by the Sanggunian. They don’t want to change. When I talked to them, they kept denying what they were doing…I will go all the way as long as God wants it,” Samson said.

The expelled INC minister said that he will not back down because he is an “instrument” to expose the supposed wrongdoings committed by the leaders of the powerful religious sect.

“My purpose here is not only to file a case because they have done something against me. I believe that I am instrumental so that all the wrong things that were and are done by the Sanggunian will be exposed,” he added.

Samson’s complaint against the Sanggunian members sparked a five-day protest led by INC members which ended Monday morning. INC members assailed the Department of Justice and Secretary Leila de Lima for their supposed overreach in their church’s internal affairs.

READ: Iglesia Ni Cristo protesters occupy Edsa

The sudden end of the five-day protest of the INC was questioned after talks of a deal between the Aquino government and the religious sect surfaced. Malacañang vehemently denied the allegation. Aries Joseph Hegina/IDL