INC blocks testimony of Menorca, likens it to a 'soap opera' script

Former Iglesia Ni Cristo minister Lowell Menorca failed to testify at the Court of Appeals.

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Lawyers of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) on Tuesday (December 1) raised objections against the affidavit of former INC minister Lowell Menorca, tagging it as "more like a script for melodramatic soap opera."

Because of this Menorca was unable to testify before the Court of Appeals (CA).

“The only thing I was able to say during the supposed cross-examination was my name and age. After that was a barrage of objections,” Menorca said. INC’s lawyers raised a total of 117 objections.

Menorca took the witness stand but INC’s lawyers accused him of violating the judicial affidavit rule because his affidavit was "free-flowing and very broad."

They said Menorca should have been asked specific questions to get specific answers.

Lawyer Rogelio Vinluan criticized the 53-page affidavit, saying it was "more like a script for melodramatic soap opera complete with tearjerker scenes."

In the affidavit, Menorca detailed the alleged abduction and illegal detention that he and his family experienced under the church’s top officials. For these, Menorca’s relatives filed petition for writs of habeas corpus and amparo in October.

The religious group wanted the appellate court to strike down the entire testimony, but the court didn't allow it, saying it's up to the respondents to question Menorca as a witness.

The justices ordered INC’s lawyers to point into writing their objections. Menorca’s camp was then given 10 days to comment on the motion.

CNN Philippines Anjo Alimario contributed to this report.

Source:

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2015/12/01/Former-INC-minister-fails-to-testify.html