Iglesia ni Cristo controversy puts Philippine Arena in limelight

By KEITH RICHARD D. MARIANO, GMA News

Published July 24, 2015 7:23pm

The rift within the family that founded the century-old Iglesia ni Cristo has revealed controversies surrounding the use of church funds to build the largest indoor arena in the world.

In an interview with reporters on Friday, Felix Nathaniel "Angel" Manalo, brother of Iglesia ni Cristo Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo gave the public a glimpse into the power struggle within the Iglesia ni Cristo.

"Ang sinasabi lumalaban po kami sa pamamahala. Hindi po kami lumalaban; mahal po namin ang aming kapatid na siyang namamahala ngayon sa Iglesia. Ang amin lang pakiusap, huwag siyang maniniwala sa Sanggunian sapagkat nauubos na ang abuloy ng Iglesia sa kung anu-anong proyekto na hindi naman kailangan."

Angel particularly questioned the construction of the $200 million or P7.8 billion Philippine Arena within the 50-hectare Ciudad de Victoria property of Iglesia ni Cristo in Bocaue, Bulacan.

"Isa na ang Philippine Arena sa ipinagtataka ko kung bakit nabuo dahil ang laging priority na aming ipinapagawa ay ang mga malalaking kapilya po. Bakit ngayon napunta ang pokus natin doon? Sana man lang kung hindi nauubos ang pondo para sa paggawa ng mga kapilya," said Angel.

Angel was expelled from the church after claiming his life was in danger in a video that circulated on social media Wednesday evening.

The 55,000-seat arena is considered the world's largest domed structure. It encompasses a bowl-shaped design inspired by the Narra tree and holds a roof patterned after the thatched top of a traditional nipa hut.

The construction of the Philippine Arena was funded using donations or "abuloy" from Iglesia ni Cristo members. The arena was inaugurated in time for the church's centennial celebrations in July 2014.

Isaias Samson Jr. — the former editor of Iglesia ni Cristo's official publication "Pasugo" — also faced the media late Thursday and revealed how corruption allegedly thrives inside the homegrown Christian church.

"Tungkol sa ipinamamahagi sa Lingap, halimbawa bigas, kahit na makukuha lang ang isang sakong bigas ng P1,700 o P1,750, eh magugulat ka ang ibinayad pala ay P1,900 o P1,950," Samson said, referring to the church's socio-civic program Lingap sa Mamamayan.

The spokesperson of the Iglesia ni Cristo denied the allegations of both Angel and Samson.

"Kasinungalingan na dahil daw ipinatayo ang arena ay natigil na daw ang pagpapatayo ng mga kapilya. Since 2011 up to now, nasa 800 mahigit ang kapilyang ipinatayong bago ng Iglesia ni Cristo," said Minister Edwil Zabala. - JJ, GMA News

Tags: philippinearena, iglesianicristo