IN the spirit of fair journalism, I am giving way to the following letter received by Manila Times chairman emeritus Dr. Dante A. Ang from the External Affairs Office of the Iglesia ni Cristo complaining about the article, “Applying Iglesia ni Cristo principle: Bongbong, your choice” that came out in this column Oct. 22, 2022.

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We write in relation to the published article of Mr. Mauro Gia Samonte, titled “Applying Iglesia ni Cristo principle: Bongbong, your choice,” The Manila Times, dated Oct. 22, 2022, also published online at https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/10/22/opinion/columns/applyingiglesia-ni-cristo-principle-bongbong-your-coice/1863239 (last accessed Oct. 23, 2022).

We feel heavily that this article was not only unfair but puts forward baseless allegations and accusations that do not merit the honor and dignity of your lofty newspaper.

Firstly, as a former member of the Church, it would have been well worth considering that Mr. Samonte did not fully abide by the tenets of the faith. What he alluded to as the Church policy in relation to the management of the household refers to the proper caretaking of one’s own dependents. As we were taught from the Bible, a married man or woman must leave his or her own parents and start their own lives separately. Brother Eduardo V. Manalo’s mother and siblings have been emancipated a long time ago.

Secondly, notwithstanding his lack of full understanding of the faith, Mr. Samonte did not have to use words like “violently,” as well as “annihilating his family” and even terms like “nearly exterminating his mother and brother” just to “justify his clinging to the top leadership of INC,” for these are not only baseless, unfounded statements that ought not be in a daily newspaper — these also are no longer protected speech or sharing of one’s opinion but goes over into the territory of an imputation of a crime (“annihilating” or “exterminating”). It is hard to imagine malice being absent in this published piece; for we cannot read Mr. Samonte’s use of these loaded adjectives and verbs as mere innocent accusations.

Thirdly, we take exception to the way Mr. Samonte has used your newspaper to share his views on how the government should be run. Mr. Samonte could have instantly and directly shared his views on how the present Marcos government address issues without resorting to such malicious statements utilizing Brother Eduardo Manalo and the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ).

As many readers of your newspaper are also members of the Church, may we kindly remind our dear publisher of your duty to consider all points before publishing anything in your newspaper.

May we formally complain against Mr. Samonte and we hope that your management would resolve this issue justly. An apology is not remiss nor uncalled for — as well as a clarification from the newspaper in regard to the policies you adhere to in your publication.

Eraño S. Codera External Affairs Office

Iglesia Ni Cristo

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There was no malice in my citation of the principle “Napamamahalaan nang maayos ang pamilya” being followed by the Iglesia Ni Cristo in the selection of Jaconos. My intention for doing so was to illustrate how its strict enforcement in the INC, if it were applied in the case of the son of Justice Secretary Boying Remulla, would lead to his disqualification for the post. So, far from maligning the faith, I actually seek to glorify the uprightness of the Church.

On the other hand, it was by impulse with no intention of malice that I dropped into extreme adjectives in describing an incident. If my giving in to impulse resulted in what sounded as an imputation of crime, then accept my deep apologies, “Mea culpa, Kapatid.” If only you would visit my novel, Shoes of the Traveler (maoblooms.blogspot.com), the entire story of my indoctrination into the Iglesia ni Cristo, you would realize that nothing forbids you from still calling me “Ka Mao.”

All the above having been said and done, I sincerely make amends and plead to all concerned: Forgive whatever misdeeds I may have done. Please just help me complete my lonesome journey as depicted in the above-cited novel into full spiritual enlightenment.