Ousted Iglesia minister happy case is still alive

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

An expelled minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) on Friday expressed relief that the criminal charges he filed against members of the local church’s Sanggunian (governing council) has been given due course at the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Isaias Samson Jr., former editor in chief of the INC’s official publication, welcomed Justice Secretary Leila de Lima’s recent pronouncement that his complaint of illegal detention, threats and coercion against INC leaders would be referred to a prosecutor for preliminary investigation.

“We’re so happy to hear that from her. First of all, ever since the beginning, there was no special treatment. As I said, it’s not true that she was the one who personally assisted us in filing the case,” said Samson when reached by phone on Friday.

“All we want is for the law to be followed. We sought protection from the law so we hope that the law will be followed. At least now, we have peace of mind with what she said,” he told the Inquirer.

INC church leaders are expected to be summoned during the DOJ proceedings.

The INC earlier staged four days of protest rallies on Edsa, Metro Manila’s belt highway, to denounce what they claimed was De Lima’s “meddling” in internal church affairs and invoking the “separation of church and state.”

The protests ended Monday morning after a reported meeting at the Palace with top government officials. What exactly was discussed, and the role played by President Aquino during the meeting was not disclosed.

INC critics had expressed apprehensions that the INC agreed to clear the streets in exchange for the DOJ’s dismissal of the Samson case.