INC praying for Menorca ‘enlightenment’

MANILA, Philippines - Leaders of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) said they are praying for expelled minister Lowell Menorca II despite his accusation that they were behind his alleged kidnapping and illegal detention.

INC legal counsel Patricia-Ann Prodigalidad said their top ministers continue to pray for Menorca’s enlightenment even as she assured the public that the allegations against them would be addressed in the proper venue.

“The officials of the INC are servants of their church, and their primary concern is the welfare of their members, and this extends even to those who were once part of their flock. That is why even in the face of these allegations, they continue to pray for Mr. Menorca and his family,” the lawyer said in a statement yesterday.

The INC leaders, however, expressed concern over possible “exploitation of the issue” by some personalities, especially with the elections just around the corner.

“With the elections just six months away, they cannot help but worry that there may be personalities that may politicize this issue given the media coverage it has attracted,” Prodigalidad said.

She stressed the INC leadership would address Menorca’s allegations squarely in the proper venue.

“The allegations are false, and we will prove them to be false,” she said without elaborating in deference to the sub judice rule that prohibits parties from discussing merits of a pending case before the public.

Prodigalidad said the INC ministers are hopeful the “courts will act judiciously, decide consistent with jurisprudence and obey the rule of law.”

“All they ask for is a fair shake, that this case be treated just like any other case,” she said. “They also pray that they will be extended the same rights as those enjoyed by us all, especially the presumption of innocence.”

Leave it to the courts

Meanwhile, Sen. Francis Escudero said it’s now the Department of Justice – or later the courts which should deal with the alleged abduction and detention of expelled INC members by the sect’s leadership.

“Every case filed by whoever with the courts or with the DOJ should be allowed to take its ordinary and regular course. It’s up to the DOJ to decide if there’s enough evidence to warrant the filing of case against anyone,” he said.

Escudero, who is running for vice president in 2016 as an independent, said he only learned of the reported kidnapping and harassment cases on social media and the newspapers. He is the running mate of fellow senator Grace Poe.

“On the other hand, of course anyone being accused has the right to due process as well as to air his opinion – in favor or against – on government actions,” Escudero said.

He said in a democracy, the rights of both the accused and the accuser equally count. With Christina Mendez