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Eli Soriano

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Eliseo F. Soriano
TitlePresiding Minister
Personal
Born (1947-04-07) April 7, 1947 (age 77)
(14 of Nisan 5707 in Hebrew Calendar)
Pasay City, Philippines
ReligionMembers Church of God International
Notable work(s)Leaving Behind the Fundamental Doctrines of Christ (Published 1999)
Other namesBrother Eli, Ingkong
Senior posting
PredecessorNicolas Antiporda Perez (as the Minister of the Iglesia ng Dios (Haligi't Suhay))
Ordination1969
Present postMinister

Eliseo Fernando "Bro. Eli" Soriano (born April 4, 1947, 14 of Nisan 5707 in the Hebrew Calendar) is a Filipino televangelist. He is the current Presiding Minister of the Philippines-based Christian organization Members Church of God International, colloquially known through its radio and television program Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path, Portuguese: O Caminho Antigo, Spanish: El Camino Antiguo).

Soriano became controversial in 2004[1] due to his comments and criticisms on his television program against other Philippines-based religious organizations.[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 Nicolas Perez [citation needed] where his parents were also members.

In 1969, Nicolas Antiporda 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 left Gugulan's sect. 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 of the 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). In 2004 Soriano's group began to call their church as Members of the Church of God International.[citation needed]

Before starting his flagship TV program, Soriano would preach in different towns and municipalities in the Philippines. [4] In 1980, Soriano started the Ang Dating Daan radio program, which became a television program in 1983. In 1983, Soriano was invited as a panelist in GMA-7's multi-religious program, "Dis [This] is Manolo and His Genius Family". He, along with other representatives of religious groups, would debate and defend their beliefs in the show. Soriano won and was awarded "Most Outstanding Gospel Minister of the Year 1983". [4] Soon, Soriano would receive multiple awards from different charity orgranizations, notably as "Bayani ng Lahing Kayumanggi (Hero of the Brown Race)". [9] [10] Being controversial, Soriano left the Philippines around 2004 due to death threats from a religious sector.

Currently, Ang Dating Daan airs in 73 countries worldwide including United States, Brazil, Portugal (as "O Caminho Antigo"), Spain (as "El Camino Antiguo"), India, South Africa, Saipan.[11]

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.[12] 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.[13]

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 Former Philippine President Arroyo, whom he blamed for his legal troubles.[14]

On August 1, 2010, Soriano-Razon's free college program would receive further financial support from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) through a basketball game to be played by the PBA. The game, titled "Hoopsters Meet The Legends: Kahit Isang Araw Lang" is scheduled for the Cuneta Astrodome. The teams involved are the "PBA legends", Hoopsters (led by Razon) and the KAPI team. All the net proceeds will be given to support the free college program of Soriano and Razon.[15]

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. Soriano was running as an independent candidate.[16]

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.[17]

In 2005, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB, Philippines) banned Soriano's programs because of statements made by Soriano against the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), and the MTRCB. He was prohibited from uttering libelous 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.[18] 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 religion" was violated by the MTRCB's suspension order.[19]

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 having allegedly uttered unsavory remarks and criticism against Islam and Muslims in a video.[20]

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.[21]

Allegations of sexual assault

In May 2006, Soriano was indicted on rape charges at the regional trial court of Macabebe, Pampanga, following a complaint filed by former MCGI productions (ADDCIT) staff Daniel Veridiano that he was sexually assaulted in Apalit, Pampanga on two occasions.[22] 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.[23]

The charge was dismissed due to lack of evidences but was later refiled in a higher court by the country's Department of Justice Secretary, Raul Gonzales.[23] 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).[23][24]

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.[22]

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.[25]

As of August 2010, the case has been archived but not terminated.[26]

References

  1. ^ "P1M reward offered for information on TV host's killers" GMA News TV. April 29, 2008
  2. ^ "SC upholds suspension on ‘Ang Dating Daan’". Tetch Torres. INQUIRER.net. April 30, 2009
  3. ^ "About Us". Ang Dating Daan. 1964-04-07. Retrieved 2010-06-01. [dead link]
  4. ^ a b c d 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. ^ [1][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. ^ Soriano Awards and Cartificates
  10. ^ People's Magazine is a Well-Known Filipino Magazine
  11. ^ "Members Church of God International Worldwide Bible Exposition" Saipan Tribune
  12. ^ "Daniel Razon's second album out" Philippine Star August 21, 2009
  13. ^ "Spring Films promises new season in Philippine cinema" Manila Bulletin August 21, 2009
  14. ^ "12,000 watch concert for Maguindanao dead" The Philippine Inquirer March 19, 2010
  15. ^ PBA meets Hoopsters Philippine Star (Aug 1)
  16. ^ Comelec Res. 6558
  17. ^ "CA junks evangelist's plea to stop libel case". The Manila Times Internet Edition. Web.archive.org. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
  18. ^ INC against free press?
  19. ^ CHR pasok kay Bro. Eli" Pilipino Star Ngayon (Tagalog) - May 27, 2005
  20. ^ 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]
  21. ^ 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)
  22. ^ a b Lopez, Allison (2008-06-21). "Dating Daan's Ely Soriano posts bail". Philippine Daily Inquirer. The INQUIRER Company. Retrieved 2008-08-17.
  23. ^ a b c DOJ charges evangelist Eli Soriano with rape (GMANews)
  24. ^ manilastandardtoday.com, ‘Dating Daan’ leader charged with sodomy
  25. ^ newsinfo.inquirer.net, Eli Soriano charged with falsification of public document
  26. ^ [2]

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