This developed as thousands of Tigbauanons will converge at the church grounds tomorrow in what rally organizers describe as a massive show of support for and reaffirmation of confidence in the embattled Roman Catholic priest.
The organizers are confident that they could drum up support from thousands of demonstrators in a "people power" style demonstration, which will vouch for the integrity and innocence of Fr. Eleuterio Carton and favor the continuation of his 20-year incumbency.
A small group calling itself the Parishioners of Tigbauan has been at the forefront of a six-month campaign to oust Carton on charges that he misappropriated funds and was responsible for the loss of precious church artifacts, including a giant bell.
The 63-year-old priest flatly denied the charges but the petitioners persisted in their campaign and filed a complaint with the office of Jaro Archbishop Msgr. Angel Lagdameo.
Carton’s supporters believe that the priest may just be an unwary victim of a "smear drive."