Menorca dares INC officials: Show up in court

'Kaya mo bang sabihin na Sanggunian, Ka Eduardo, ipakita natin sa buong mundo na hindi tayo angat sa batas?' asks ex-INC minister Lowell Menorca II

ARRESTED. Ex-INC minister Lowell Menorca II arrives at Manila Police District Station 5 with MPD Chief Rolando Nana on January 20, 2016. Photo by Lito Boras /Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – Former Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) minister Lowell Menorca II has dared top officials of the influential church to face accusations against them in court instead of hiding behind lawyers.

In a video message recorded while inside the Manila Police District Station 5, Menorca threw back the words of INC spokesman Edwil Zabala, who said the ex-church worker should face the libel accusations against him.

The 12-minute video was posted on Thursday, January 21, on the Facebook page of "Antonio Ebangelista," but was later taken down.

Menorca was arrested Wednesday morning in Manila, as he was on his way to a hearing at the Court of Appeals (CA). The arrest warrant stems from a libel complaint filed against him in Lanao del Norte.

"Kaya mo rin bang sabihin 'yan kay Ka Eduardo at Sanggunian? Kaya mo bang sabihin na Sanggunian, Ka Eduardo, ipakita natin sa buong mundo na hindi tayo angat sa batas?" he said in the video.

(Can you also say that to Ka Eduardo and the Sanggunian? Can you also say to them, let's show the whole world that we are not above the law?)

Several members of the Sanggunian, the highest administrative body in the church headed by executive minister Eduardo Manalo, are facing complaints from Menorca and Manalo's estranged siblings Angel and Lottie.

But in the CA hearings for the petitions for writs of habeas corpusand amparo, the Sanggunian respondents are represented by INC lawyers.

"You said you will address the issues in the proper forum. But I have not seen even a shadow of any member of the Sanggunian at the CA," Menorca said in Filipino.

In another video, Menorca recounted the circumstances leading to his arrest.

He also hit Zabala's denial that the INC leadership did not have a hand at Menorca's arrest.

Earlier, Zabala said the libel complaint was filed by members who were offended by Menorca's "defamatory statements." But he said the church was not involved in these cases.

Menorca, however, said it was impossible for the leadership not to know about the cases.

"We all know that there is nothing anyone can do within the organization that does not receive permission or instruction from the leadership, especially when it comes to filing cases," Menorca added.

Menorca is currently detained at the Manila Police District Station 5. He has received a second warrant of arrest for another libel complaint filed in Mindanao – this time from Marawi City.

The second warrant was issued by presiding Judge Wenida Papandayan of Regional Trial Court Branch 10 of Lanao del Sur, on January 18, 2016. Bail was set at P10,000.

Menorca also faces a complaint for resisting arrest filed Wednesday evening by the arresting policemen. His wife, Jinky, and companion Felixberto Eslava face charges of direct assault and obstruction of justice. – Rappler.com

Source:

http://www.rappler.com/nation/119762-lowell-menorca-dares-inc-officials-court