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Eli Soriano

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Eliseo F. Soriano
TitlePresiding Minister
Personal
ReligionMembers Church of God International
Notable work(s)Leaving Behind the Fundamental Doctrines of Christ (Published 1999)
Other namesBrother Eli
Senior posting
Ordination1969
Present postMinister

Eliseo Fernando Soriano (born April 4, 1947) also known as Bro. Eli Soriano, is a Filipino televangelist. He is the current Presiding Minister of the Philippines-based religious organization Members Church of God International and is known as Bro. Eli in the congregation he leads, and through his radio and television program Ang Dating Daan (English: The Old Path, Portuguese: O Caminho Antigo).

Soriano became controversial in 2004[1] due to his comments on his television program which ultimately led to a three month suspension of the program in a case that went to the Supreme Court of the Philippines.[2]

Biography

Soriano was born to Triunfo Soriano and Catalina Fernando in Pasay City and is the seventh of eight children. He grew up in Pampanga. He started school at the age of eight.[3]

Soriano was supposed to receive the highest honors of the school, but he dropped out three months before graduation due to an alleged religious debate between Soriano and the school administrator.[4] On April 7, 1964, three days after his 17th birthday, Eliseo was baptised in Seneguelasan, Bacoor, Cavite, and became an official member of the Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan (Church of God in Christ Jesus, Pillar and Support of the Truth in English) founded by former Iglesia ni Cristo minister Nicolas Perez [citation needed] where his parents were also members.

In 1969, Nicolas Perez, who was then the church’s presiding minister, bestowed upon Soriano the title minister making him the only minister in the Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan at that time. Rumors were circulating that Soriano is going to be Perez's successor.[4] However, after the death of Nicolas Perez in 1975, Levita Gugulan was appointed as temporary Presiding General Secretary[5] of the group. Soriano initially accepted the appointment of Gugulan but subsequently denounced her leadership stating that women should not be leaders of the church according to the Bible.[6] In 1976, Soriano and his allies were excommunicated by Gugulan. In 1977, Soriano registered a new group, called Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan(Church of God in Christ Jesus, Pillar and Ground of Truth in English), which was later changed to Mga Kaanib sa Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan sa Bansang Pilipinas, Inc. (Members Church of God in Christ Jesus, Pillar and Ground of Truth, Philippines, Inc. in English).[7]

Because of the similarity between the name used by Gugulan’s group and Soriano's group, the former filed a suit, which was resolved by the Supreme Court of the Philippines in 2001 in favor of Gugulan's group and Soriano's group was ordered to change their church's name.[8] Soriano's group complied and changed their church's name to Bayan ng Katotohanan (City of Truth Inc. in English) and later to Iglesia Ni YHWH at ni YHWSA HMSYH Inc. (Church of YHWH and YHWSA HMSYH Inc. in English). In 2004 Soriano's group changed their church's name for the fourth time to Members Church of God International.[citation needed]

Soriano started the Ang Dating Daan radio program in 1980, which became a television program in 1983.[citation needed]

Charitable works

Soriano, through the help of his nephew Daniel Razon, has been spearheading many projects for the indigent. These include free medical and dental check-ups, a free Bus Ride and a free Transient Home for homeless people.[9] Soriano and Razon created a free college scholarship program at the La Verdad Christian College in Metro Manila which will provide scholarships to deserving youth.[10]

On May 17, 2010, Soriano appeared (through a live video patch) in a concert conceptualized by Daniel Razon and was titled "Protest Broadcast 3". The concert aims to help the families of the victims of the Maguindanao Massacre. The victims’ representatives received the net proceeds of the concert. The media workers’ orphaned children would also be granted scholarships. During his appearance, Soriano harshly criticized outgoing President Arroyo, whom he blamed for his legal troubles.[11]

Controversies and Legal Issues

In 2005, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) banned Soriano's Programs because of statements made by Soriano against the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), and the MTRCB. He was prohibited from uttering libellous and defamatory statements against INC. Soriano had used terms like iglesiang pumapatay ng kapwa tao (church who murders) and iglesia ni Manalo (church of Manalo) to malign the INC in his programs.[12] The Philippine's Commission on Human Rights, urged Soriano to file charges against the MTRCB. The CHR ruled that Soriano's "freedom of speech and religon" was violated by the MTRCB's suspension order.[13]

Senate disqualification

Soriano was declared a nuisance candidate and disqualified by the En Banc Comelec (Philippines' Commission On Elections) on January 17, 2004 when he stood for a position of senator.[14] Soriano was running as an independent candidate.[15]

Conflicts with the Iglesia ni Cristo

In August 2003, the Iglesia ni Cristo sued Soriano for libel after Soriano accused them of publishing explicit comic books depicting Soriano having homosexual sex. In 2007, Soriano filed multiple petitions to stop the lawsuit to no avail.[16]

In August 2004, the Department of Justice of the Philippines recommended the filing of libel cases against Eliseo Soriano and 15 of this associates for allegedly defaming the Iglesia ni Cristo and its ministers.[17]

In April 2005, Muslim leaders from Metro Manila filed a one billion peso libel suit against Eliseo Soriano before the Manila Prosecutor's Office for allegedly, in a video, uttering unsavory remarks and criticism against Islam and Muslims.[18]

Rape case

In the November 10, 2005 issue of Philippine Daily Inquirer internet edition, it was reported Eliseo Soriano was put on the Bureau of Immigration watchlist. The order was made by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales on the request of the Pampanga Prosecutor's Office.[19]

In May 2006, Soriano was indicted on rape charges at the regional trial court of Macabebe, Pampanga, following a complaint filed by former MCGI assistant secretary general Daniel Veridiano that he was sexually assaulted in Apalit, Pampanga on two occasions. According to a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer report in June 2008, Soriano allegedly abused his influence by directing Veridiano "to come into his room, massage him and have anal intercourse", an act that was against the consent of Veridiano.[20] Soriano countered, claiming that Veridiano was only retaliating after being expelled from the MCGI sect due to alleged misappropriation of funds of the ADD. Charges of Perjury under Art. 183 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines was also filed by Soriano against Veridiano.[21]

The charge was initially dismissed due to lack of evidences but was later refiled in a higher court by the country’s Department of Justice Secretary, Raul Gonzales.[21] Macabebe Regional Trial Court Judge Manuel Siyangco issued the warrant of arrest. Soriano was allowed to post a P400,000 bail bond (P200,000 for each count).[22][21]

In November 2006, an arrest warrant was issued against Soriano by Judge Lucina Dayaon, Macabebe. Soriano posted a P240,000 bail at a police Station in Pandacan, Manila on June 21, 2008.[20]

On August 29, 2008, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that Soriano and two others were sued for violation of Art. 171, Revised Penal Code of the Philippines (falsification of public documents) at the Manila City Prosecutor's Office. It was discovered that the arresting officer, PO3 June Gumaru, and Soriano's secretary, Belen Talentado, conspired in faking the certificate of detention to permit his release by posting bail for his rape case. PO3 Gumaru admitted in a sworn affidavit that he had never seen the church group leader and that Soriano did not really surrender to him.[23]

Conflict with Tax Payments and Building Permits

In February 2008, the town of Apalit's (Pampanga, Philippines) Municipal Treasurer Elizabeth Bustamante, in a letter sent to Soriano which indicated the town would auction properties inside ADD's compound in order to collect unpaid taxes. In the same report, Municipal Engineer Wilfredo Danting listed buildings inside the compound which were constructed without the necessary permits. These buildings included a hospital, tenement buildings, a chapel, an extension to the convention center and others. Closure of some of at least four buildings, including a museum and two residential structures was also sought by the Town Mayor Oscar Tetangco Jr also because these were constructed without permit.[24]

References

  1. ^ [1] GMA News TV. P1M reward offered for information on TV host's killers. 04/29/2008
  2. ^ [2] SC upholds suspension on ‘Ang Dating Daan’. Tetch Torres. INQUIRER.net. 04/30/2009
  3. ^ "About Us". Ang Dating Daan. 1964-04-07. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
  4. ^ a b Elesterio, Fernando G. Three essays on Philippine religious culture (Monograph series). De La Salle University Press. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^ [3][dead link]
  6. ^ Does a Woman have the Right to Preach in the Church of God?
  7. ^ Justyn. "Iglesia Ni YHWH at ni YHWSA HMSYH ('Ang Dating Daan')". thebereans.ne. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
  8. ^ G.R. No. 137592
  9. ^ Daniel Razon's second album out - Philippine Star (August 21, 2009)
  10. ^ "Spring Films promises new season in Philippine cinema" (Manila Bulletin (August 21, 2009)
  11. ^ 12,000 watch concert for Maguindanao dead - The Philippine Inquirer (March 19, 2010
  12. ^ INC against free press?
  13. ^ CHR pasok kay Bro. Eli - Pilipino Star Ngayon (Tagalog - May 27, 2005 )
  14. ^ Comelec Res. 6558
  15. ^ Navarro, Rico (2004-02-14). "Comelec to publish list of qualified candidates". The Manila Bulleting Online - Main News. Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2008-12-23. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ "The Manila Times Internet Edition | METRO > CA junks evangelist's plea to stop libel case". Web.archive.org. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
  17. ^ Tubeza, Philip C DOJ backs libel raps vs Bro. Eli Philippine Daily Inquirer(pub Aug 15, 2004, byline)
  18. ^ Jannaral, Julmunir I (April 4, 2005) P1bn libel charges against a religious leader [Gulf Times http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=32176&version=1&template_id=45&parent_id=25]
  19. ^ Torres, Tetch (November 10, 2005). [inquirer.net "Gonzalez orders: Put evangelist Soriano on watchlist"]. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2009-03-09. {{cite news}}: Check |url= value (help)
  20. ^ a b Lopez, Allison (2008-06-21). "Dating Daan's Ely Soriano posts bail". Philippine Daily Inquirer. The INQUIRER Company. Retrieved 2008-08-17.
  21. ^ a b c DOJ charges evangelist Eli Soriano with rape (GMANews)
  22. ^ manilastandardtoday.com, ‘Dating Daan’ leader charged with sodomy
  23. ^ newsinfo.inquirer.net, Eli Soriano charged with falsification of public document
  24. ^ Garcia, Raymond C (February 26, 2008). "Ang Dating Daan failed to pay taxes". Sun Star Pampanga. Sun Star. Retrieved 5 July 2010.

External links

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