Crux

MANILA, Philippines – A Philippine court has ordered the arrest of a Filipino journalist for publishing an opinion piece against the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), a Christian organization widely considered the most powerful independent Church in the mostly Catholic nation. The criminal case arises from a private complaint – something possible under Philippine law – and has drawn strong reaction from journalists and press freedom monitors. It also puts the methods and operations of the INC under the spotlight. Marchel Espina, a 39-year-old journalist in the central Philippines, surrendered to the police on July 17 over a criminal case of “unjust vexation,” along with four other respondents. The crime involves causing “annoyance, irritation, torment, distress, or disturbance to the mind” of the offended party. Espina immediately posted bail of roughly $100 and was released. The case was filed by Pedro Castillo, district supervising minister of the INC in Batangas province some 60 miles south of the capital, Manila, and stems from the publication of an article titled “Demonic Church Meddling in Politics” in the local newspaper SunStar Cebu in Dec. 2024, when Espina was its editor-in-chief. If convicted, Espina faces up to 30 days’ imprisonment and fines of as much as $650. The court proceedings will require Espina — who is based in the central Philippine city of Bacolod — to travel the better part of 400 miles each way by air or sea to the court in Batangas City, in the northern part of the country. Speaking to Crux Now, Espina estimated she will spend about US$500 on each trip to Batangas City. Describing her financial situation as “difficult,” she said she expects to make several court appearances over a period of months or even years, given the sluggish pace of the Philippine justice system. “I believe this case raises important concerns about the use of criminal complaints against journalists and editors in relation to their work. I also believe it has a chilling effect on press freedom,” Espina wrote on Facebook. INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala declined to comment on Espina’s case when contacted by Crux Now on July 20. Intimidating media Press freedom advocates have cited the INC’s political power as they defended Espina. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), which is known for its activism, called for the dismissal of Espina’s case. “The filing of charges against Espina is clearly meant to intimidate her and the media community,” the NUJP said. “This is not the first time that leaders of the said religious group filed charges against journalists expressing critical views on the religious group’s ties with an influential political dynasty,” it added. “Journalists report on matters of public interest, including supposed religious activities in support of certain politicians.” The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) also expressed grave concern over Espina’s case. “While it is the right of every citizen to seek redress, the law must never be weaponized to intimidate journalists or stifle free speech,” FOCAP said in a statement. Iglesia ni Cristo’s power The case highlights not only the plight of journalists in the Philippines but also the influence of the INC. Founded in 1913 by Felix Manalo, a baptized Catholic-turned-religious-seeker, the INC is an independent Christian denomination with 2.8 million members in a country of nearly 118 million people. Th INC, however, plays an outsized role on politics in the Philippines, with the INC known to vote as a bloc every election, prompting Filipino politicians to court the church’s favor. That is one reason for the INC’s political influence, which observers say sometimes rivals the Catholic Church’s own in Asia’s largest Catholic-majority country. In the 2022 elections, the INC endorsed both President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, who won their elections. In the current and ongoing rift between the two former allies, the INC has taken Duterte’s side. Catholic perspective For an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the INC’s move was hardly surprising. “Knowing that religious group, they’re always running after those who cross their paths,” said Father Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the CBCP Commission on Public Affairs, in an interview with Crux Now. Secillano also provided insight into the INC’s relations – or lack of them – with the Catholic Church, which counts about 86 million members in the Philippines. “I don’t see any relationship at all,” Secillano said. “We don’t have collaborations. We don’t have meetings. We don’t have engagements,” he said. The INC, in fact, has shied away from ecumenical activities, unlike its other Christian counterparts in the country. “I guess that religious sect is very influential insofar as they tell their followers to vote for the candidates that they want,” Secillano added. “This religious group,” he said, “is flexing its muscles as far as politics is concerned, and they would always want to have something in return for the support they’re giving these politicians or bureaucrats.” When asked about the best way to view Espina’s case through a Catholic lens, Secillano emphasized the importance of freedom of the press, freedom of thought, and freedom of speech. “These are all enshrined in the Constitution, and we should follow these,” the CBCP official said, adding that Filipinos should not be afraid to express their thoughts or beliefs “simply because somebody or some groups are threatening us.” “We should be braver and more courageous in doing our part to better our society,” Secillano said.

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