Manalo, INC and the Philippine Politics

Erano G. Manalo, cult leader and the executive minister of INC dies, he leaves the church his father founded to become the biggest indigenous church in the country.

During his administration, the church experience growth and expansion in the country and in some parts of the world where there are Filipino residents. Factors that contributed to its growth are the teaching that only INC is the true church, the fear that outsiders will be burn to hell and the use of mass media to spread their own belief albeit without website in this information age. Critically attacking both the Catholics, Protestants and other denominations, INC’s trademarks are rude and impolite in some manners. There is even voice recordings of their executive minister speaking with rage on their ministers though some insiders consider Erano to be much better compared to his father founder for its temperament. The former is said to be cold and an aggressive person.

Block voting is INC’s trademark. It cast a shadow of apprehension for the politicians vying to run and would make a contribution to the church. The INC on the other hand endorses the politician regardless of its religious background.

During the tumultuous times of the 70’s and early 80’s, INC leadership gives it all out support to Ferdinand E. Marcos, despite widespread corruption and human rights violation, the INC leadership supports the dictator.

Then came the people power but the INC didn’t bulge, during the first free election for the 20 years, the INC supported candidate Danding Cojangco, a Marcos loyalist with catastrophic results. But nevertheless, INC has palace insiders and the government has some big contracts given to some INC prominent members.

The Catholic Church and some militant protestant churches never capitalized on elections but instead give guidelines to their members on how to choose a leader. Much of these characters are being honest, morally upright person and a trustworthy public servant.

Against all odds, the INC again chooses a wrong candidate to become a president in the name of Joseph Estrada, a known womanizer, drinker, a college drop out and a guilty plunderer. Even if Estrada is declared president, the celebration is short since he was ousted by people power 2. But the INC staged it’s version of people power, a people power without the usual prayer meeting, without singing, without the spirit of EDSA. It is a people power with just a horde of people mostly INC members, poor and illiterate with orange t-shirts, reminiscent of the party color of their disgrace leader.

Without divine guidance, people power 3 failed and 4 of the mob was killed. 3 of them are INC members.

INC’s legacy is mixed; it contributed great in some aspects but brought horrendous terrible consequences for those who believe its lies. INC is just a creation of self proclaim messiahs who for their beliefs blinded millions of illiterate Filipinos and leading them to the dark abyss.

Tide has change; old leaders have come to past. You could not hide the truth. Information is readily available and can be access everywhere. This is the time of critical thinking and a new beginning. I believe the INC youth of today are curious about their controversial church history, their leader’s beginnings and the INC’s manipulation of the truth. It is not a church of freedom, but a church of pure manipulation and ultimate submission to their followers.

2Cr 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.