(Eagle News) — The Iglesia Ni Cristo has asked the Court of Appeals to dismiss the petitions for habeas corpus and writ of amparo filed by expelled INC members on behalf of Lowell Menorca II and his family.
Saying that the petitions filed by Lowell’s brother Anthony and sister-in-law Jungko Otsuka were “moot and academic,” INC’s legal counsel Atty. Patricia Ann Prodigalidad, moved for the dismissal of the petitions since Lowell, his wife, Jinky, and daughter Yurie Keiko are already outside the INC’s compound.
There is also no threat to his life, nor any restraints since the Menorcas are already with the petitioners, Prodigalidad said.
The Court of Appeals seventh division composed of Associate Justices Magdangal De Leon, Victoria Isabel Paredes and Elihu Ybanez – is hearing the case today, Nov. 3.
Meanwhile, INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala, said there is a need to “thresh out baseless allegations” against the INC in the proper forum, which is the court.
“The Iglesia ni Cristo holds the separation of church and state sacrosanct. While we firmly believe that discipline of members belongs entirely within the domain of religion, we understand the need to thresh out the baseless allegations of disgruntled and expelled members within the framework of a non-sectarian judicial system – if only to vindicate the name of the Church in the eyes of members and non-members alike,” Zabala said in a statement.
Zabala said that the INC is “ready to face all the legal challenges” filed by those who have been trying to discredit the INC church administration.
“We are confident that the truth shall prevail in this current controversy and that our officials will be vindicated by our judicial system,” he said.
Zabala added: “We are ready to face all the legal challenges and we continue to pray for all those affected by, and involved in, these cases, as well as the quick and peaceful resolution of the same.”
