Eh di wow

Monday morning, while commuters in Metro Manila were bracing for another day of agony with the already bad traffic situation made worse by the rally staged by the Iglesia ni Cristo, Eagle News PH, posted this breaking news:

“Official Statement of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, ending the 5-day peaceful assembly in victory”

There was a video of Iglesia Ni Cristo General Evangelist Bro. Bienvenido Santiago.

Below the video is this caption:

“MANILA, Philippines (4th UPDATE) – The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) on Monday, August 31, ended their 5-day protest against the government’s supposed interference with internal church matters, saying they have reached an understanding with the Aquino administration.”

In the video, Santiago said: “”Nais po naming ipabatid sa inyong lahat na nagkausap na po ang panig ng Iglesia at ng panig ng pamahalaan at sa pag-uusap na ito ay nagkapaliwanagan na po ang dalawang panig. Kaya payapa na po ang lahat.

“Ito pong ating isinagawang mapayapang pagtitipon na sinimulan natin noong Huwebes nang hapon ay natatapos na po nang mapayapa rin ngayon pong Lunes ng umaga.

“Salamat ng marami sa ating Panginoong Diyos. Sa kanya ang lahat na kapurihan. Mabuhay ang Iglesia ni Kristo.”

Although there was feeling of relief that the INC really had ended, there were concerns what could Malacañang have conceded to the religious sect known for pushing for appointments of members in the cabinet and strategic government positions like Bureau of Customs, National Bureau of Investigation, Commission on Elections and the judiciary in exchange for their bloc vote during elections.

Acting as if they have their own kingdom in the country, rallyists chanted separation of church and state. Apparently directed to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, they held placards “Mas maraming isyu ang dapat unahin.Huwag ang pakiki-alam sa amin.”

The INC considered a hostile act De Lima’s investigation of the allegations expelled INC minister Isaias Samson, even placing him under the Witness Protection Program, of illegal detention (the same crime that put pork barrel queen Janet Napoles behind bars).

Samson’s expose came after the posting on You Tube of the appeal for help of Tenny Manalo, widow of the late INC leader Eraño Manalo and mother of the current INC executive minister Eduardo Manalo.

Tenny Manalo said she and her other son, Angel, were in danger.

More exposes from expelled members came out about corruption by the powerful Council of the INC.

Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte disabused the minds of those who suspect a deal with INC, one of which is the resignation of De Lima.

“There was no deal struck, as some insinuate. The talks gave both sides an opportunity to clarify issues and concerns,” Valte said.

De Lima herself said she is not resigning now. She will do that “sa tamang panahon” she said adding that once she has decided if she will run for Senate seat in the May 2016 elections. She said however, that from now on, she will be declining to talk on the issue.

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, who would benefit from an endorsement of the INC in his presidential bid in 2016, said what Malacañang and INC agreed on “was not an agreement, but an understanding.”

Could the “understanding” be sitting on the case and letting it fade the Mona Lisa way?

Roxas said in a radio interview:”Ang nangyari ay nagkaroon ng paliwanagan. Nilinaw ng pamahalaan na hindi pinupuntirya ang INC, na hindi special treatment, for or against, na dumadaan lang ito sa proseso. Yung kilos ng pamahalaan ay hindi nakatutok o di personal sa kahit sino, pero dahil lang po may nagsampa ng reklamo. Hindi naman pong puwedeng balewalain yun di ba

“Kinikilala natin ang karapatan ng lahat para magpahayag ng pananaw. Pero kinakailangan din na isipin natin ang kapakanan ng nakararami.”

No deal, he stressed.

Eh di Wow!