(Eagle News) — The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) categorically denied claims made by expelled ministers Isaias Samson, Jr. and Vincent Florida that several officers of the Church maintained personal and unauthorized offshore bank accounts in the Cayman Islands or Switzerland, as well as charges that its leaders were skimming cash off member collections in the United States.
“We follow protocols for the deposit of cash collections. We also have very stringent audit procedures, otherwise the church would not be granted tax-exempt status by the U.S. government,” said minister Bro. Edwil Zabala, the INC spokesperson.
Zabala also challenged the two expelled ministers who have been spreading allegations against the INC’s finances to prove what they are saying. He said that if Samson and Florida could prove that these alleged offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands and in Switzerland do exist, they could keep their contents. The INC is even willing to sign a waiver, he said.
“We are willing to sign a waiver; if they can prove that any of INC’s leaders have offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands or in Switzerland, they can have the cash in all of them,” Zabala said.
IRS special agent Arlette Lee also clarified that no cases had been filed against the Iglesia Ni Cristo in a U.S. federal court.
Zabala said: “We are deeply saddened by the allegations of Samson and Florida. We wanted to refrain from commenting on their baseless accusations, as we do not wish to dignify any further attempts to subject the Church to trial by media. However, we owe it to our flock and the public to forthrightly respond to these incredulous allegations.”
Zabala said he is hoping the public would see through the deceptive lies being spread in the media by the expelled ministers and members who have been trying to sow division within the Church.