INC Members Allegedly Ordered to Boycott ABS-CBN

01/27/2016 | 12:19 0 Posted in Local Issues

ABC-CBN has been vigilant in covering the issue around the embattled Iglesia Ni Cristo. Journalists Karen Davila and Ted Failon have been monitoring the Menorca case religiously and received both praise and criticisms for their relentless action.

After Menorca testified before the Court of Appeals yesterday (January 26, 2016), reports circulating over social media says the Iglesia Ni Cristo has ordered its members to stop watching ABC-CBN news, especially its US arm The Filipino Chanel (TFC).

I rushed to ask my sister who is a deaconess in the locale of San Pablo City, and she confirmed it. She said the minister has ordered members after the regular worship service to boycott ABS-CBN News.

She said members who will be caught watching ABS-CBN will suffer a disciplinary action.

Is Iglesia Ni Cristo a threat to democracy and Human Rights?

Many journalists, especially Ramon Tulfo has been very vocal about the case surrounding the Iglesia Ni Cristo.

In his Philippine Daily Inquirer column “On Target : Iglesia ni Cristo displeased with P-Noy?”, Tulfo touched some very sensitive issues about the connection and influence of the church in the Philippine Government. From appointing high ranking officials to lobbying government decisions, Tulfo said INC has a higher hand in influencing the government.

No wonder why none of any presidential aspirant wants to mention about the Iglesia Ni Cristo case despite its highly publicized drama.

Some experts worry that the Philippine justice system and democracy might be overlooked if politicians continue to believe that INC’s block voting is still effective.

Why Iglesia Ni Cristo’s Endorsed Candidates Always Wins?

Taking away Mar Roxas’ failed Vice Presidential run, candidates who are picked by the INC always wins. Why?

As a member of INC for more than three decades until recently, I can say that INC’s decision who to vote is always smart and wise. The process of INC’s selection is not all about “Who can help change the Philippines”, but it is on “Who is a strong candidate”.

INC always endorses strong candidates. When a certain candidate wins, INC takes credits. The winner thought he won because he is picked by INC, but the truth is, whether he is picked by INC or not, he will win. INC does not endorse losing candidates.

There was an instance when INC has already picked a candidate for Bacolod City Mayor, but when the final survey was released; the decision had changed overnight favoring the stronger candidate – a day before the elections.

For this, INC’s block voting is a myth and candidates should ignore it.

Is Ordering to Boycott a Non-Partisan News Network like ABS-CBN do a Good Impression for the Church?

This will only gain more negative feedback rather than positive. People who don’t care about religion might see this as suppression of freedom.

The INC has been complaining about separation of the church and the state, but what it is doing says otherwise.