The Iglesia Ni Cristo issued a statement warning the public about the solicitation activities being done by groups formed by excommunicated members like the Restore The Church Fund USA and Restore The Church Fund Asia group.
According to INC spokesperson, Bro. Edwil Zabala, the Church is concerned with the activities of said groups and decided to issue a public warning against the misrepresentation conducted by said groups. (Eagle News Service)
(Eagle News) — The Iglesia Ni Cristo has issued a “warning” advising the public not to be deceived by individuals, groups and corporations established by its expelled members who have been trying to solicit funds and donations, and using the name and seal of the INC in its activities to mislead people.
“It has come to the knowledge of the Iglesia Ni Cristo that some expelled members of the Church have established associations with the purpose of maliciously using the name of the Iglesia Ni Cristo and the brethren in the Philippines and abroad, to solicit money, funds, aid, donations, contributions, etc., for their personal gain and benefit,” the INC’s warning to the public read.
“The Iglesia Ni Cristo warns the public that it will not be held accountable or answerable for any activity by such individuals, groups, or organizations using the corporate name, seal and logo of the Iglesia Ni Cristo,” it added.
The INC statement, which was also contained in print advertisements, referred to two groups established by the expelled INC members. One group of expelled members in the United States registered a corporation called “Restore the Church Fund” under Corporate Number C3820136. The other group was registered in the Philippines as “Restore the Church Asia Group, Inc,” which was under registration number CN201523134.
“These groups have been maliciously and fraudulently representing themselves as members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo,” the INC statement read.
INC spokesperson Bro. Edwil Zabala said that the INC decided to issue and release the statement “to protect the public from being deceived and misled by these people.”
The INC statement further clarified that the INC “has not authorized the establishment of any of these corporations.”
“The Iglesia Ni Cristo has not authorized any individuals, groups, or associations, including the above-mentioned corporations, their incorporators, officers, and/or members to solicit, request, lobby, beg, ask for, or negotiate with any person, natural or juridical, for any of the following things: money, offering, donation, contribution, payment, aid, support, help, funding, assistance, relief, livelihood, or any other form of monetary consideration,” it added.
Zabala also appealed to the public to report to the INC Central Office any information about such “deceitful, fraudulent or unscrupulous activities” by these group and individuals.
“If anyone has knowledge or information of such activities by such individuals, groups or organization, or if anyone has inquiries and concerns regarding this matter, you may visit the Iglesia Ni Cristo Central Office located at No. 1 Central Avenue, New Era, Quezon City, or you may call telephone number (02) 981-4311,” Zabala said quoting the INC statement.
Earlier, the Iglesia Ni Cristo had already filed an infringement case against an expelled INC minister, Farley de Castro, for using the INC seal in an activity that did not have anything to do with the Church.
There were pictures of him wearing a t-shirt imprinted with the logo or the seal of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, which brought confusion to the true members of the Church.
They also had a tarpaulin using the emblem or the Iglesia Ni Cristo seal in an activity in Panacan, Davao City.
The Iglesia Ni Cristo continues to inform its members that Farley De Castro has already been expelled from the Church. (Eagle News Service)
Below is the full text of the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s “warning to the public”
It has come to the knowledge of the Iglesia Ni Cristo that some expelled members of the Church have established associations with the purpose of maliciously using the name of the Iglesia Ni Cristo and the brethren in the Philippines and abroad, to solicit money, funds, aid, donations, contributions, etc. for their personal gain and benefit.
A group was registered in the United States as RESTORE THE CHURCH FUND under Corporate Number C3820136 and another group was also registered in the Philippines as RESTORE THE CHURCH ASIA GROUP, INC. under Registration No. CN201523134. These groups have been misrepresenting themselves as members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo.
To protect the public, the Iglesia Ni Cristo has decided to release this notice to inform the public that:
- The Iglesia Ni Cristo has not authorized the establishment of any of these corporations;
- The Iglesia Ni Cristo has not authorized any individuals, groups, or associations, including the above-mentioned corporations, their incorporators, officers, and/or members to solicit, request, lobby, beg, ask for, or negotiate with any person, natural or juridical, for any of the following things: money, offering, donation, contribution, payment, aid, support, help, funding, assistance, relief, livelihood, or any other form of monetary consideration.
The Iglesia Ni Cristo warns the public that it will not be held accountable or answerable for any activity by such individuals, groups, or organizations using the corporate name, seal and logo of the Iglesia Ni Cristo.
If anyone has knowledge or information of activities by such individuals, groups or organization, or if anyone has inquiries and concerns regarding this matter, you may visit the Iglesia Ni Cristo Central Office located at No. 1 Central Avenue, New Era, Quezon City, or you may call telephone number (02) 981-4311.
