Members Church of God International Presiding Minister
Bro. Eli Soriano
expressed sympathy to journalists who are abused, threatened, and
sometimes killed while fulfilling their duty as he related some
experiences that mirror the impartiality of the Philippine justice
system.
Speaking before the crowd who attended the Protest Broadcast 3
concert at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines on May 17
via Internet, Bro. Eli complained how he himself had fallen prey to a
most undesirable collaboration between corrupt government officials and
malicious religious “enemies of the Gospel he preaches”.
The award-winning host of the phenomenonal television program
Ang Dating Daan (
The Old Path)
mentioned his chief predicament: “Why is there no justice done unto me,
when this government swore to do justice to every Filipino?”
The injustices he spoke of include the series of suspensions done to
his widely-viewed program and to his person, lawsuits filed against him
which were dismissed for lack of merit but were again brought for
litigation by religious and government conspirators, stoppage of his
public service efforts in the country, and human rights violations
committed against the organization he leads, the Members Church of God
International (MCGI). MCGI is locally known for its television program,
Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path).
He expressed his frustration with the current government from which
he received “the worst treatment for being truthful.” Bro. Soriano
quotes, “I would like to believe with a senator’s statement that in the
Philippines, there is a culture of corruption. I have lost hope with the
incumbent administration. That is why I am appealing to the next
president and the legislators who were elected. Never side with only one
person. Side with the Filipinos [who put you to power]. I likewise
appeal to you my countrymen. Get the essence of what I am talking about.
I talk as an educated man.”
Still, Bro. Eli wished for the incumbent president’s health,
well-being, and better performance now that she is elected to Congress.
Furthermore, Bro. Soriano denounced endorsements by purportedly
religious king-and-queen-makers and bloc voters which are “incredible,
bogus, and misleading people to believing that they are powerful, when
they aren’t.” He pointed to the current poll counts which contradict the
decree of these religious leaders who have promised politicians a
substantial number of votes enough to catapult them to the highest seat
in the government.
Bro. Eli presented a video of a Davao-based religious leader who
decreed in February 2005 the former’s ruin in six months. He quips,
“Thank God, it’s been five years since that decree, and look, I’m still
alive.” The same religious leader decreed that the administration’s bet
will be the next president. Unfortunately, the administration’s
candidate conceded days even before the poll counts were finished. Bro.
Soriano says, “Thank God that even in the defeat of these politicians,
we prove which prophets are fraud.” He strenghtened this by citing
Deuteronomy 18:22 which tells not to fear prophets whose words do not
happen as such are said.
He also rebuked another church which practices bloc voting, that
talks the doctrine of excommunication for its members who “break the
unity of the church even in political matters,” calling it “unfair.”
Meanwhile, Bro. Soriano considered the importance of media in
informing the people of events as they are, even how unpleasant these
events may seem. He speaks of the slain media men, “The journalists who
were killed in Maguindanao only wanted to get the news. Whoever is
responsible for this crime must pay.”
On a lighter note, Bro. Eli, now on his third decade of Gospel
broadcast, thanked UNTV 37 President Hilarion “Larry” Henares for the
“gracious support provided by the station which was instrumental in
bringing truthful and public-service oriented broadcast to the people,
for advocating projects that promote integrity and justice, and for
allowing him to tell the world that amidst all sprouting religious
controversies and conflicts, there is a religion that cares.” He also
thanked the patrons of the concert for their support to the worthwhile
cause.
Bro. Eli amusedly admitted that he cannot anymore escape the title as
a religious figure. He says his very name spells religion everywhere he
went. The fact goes with his citing of Bible verses even at the concert
during his 30-minute talk.
He ended his speech with a serenade telling great desire to see his
brethren and countrymen if given a chance to return to the Philippines,
under a more humane government.
The concert, which aims to raise funds for the families of the 57
innocent civilians and journalists killed in Maguindanao last year, was
attended by an estimated 20,000 audience that had media practitioners,
businessmen, foreign observers, and some newly-elected government
officials.
(Written by: Cecile Vizcaya)
