According to a report on GMA News’ “24 Oras,” De Lima said that the complaints filed by expelled Iglesia ni Cristo minister Isaias Samson Jr. will go through the standard procedures at the DOJ.

De Lima said a prosecutor or a panel of prosecutors will be assigned to conduct preliminary investigation on the illegal detention and harassment complaints Samson filed against eight leaders of the religious group.

“The Samson complaint will go thru the regular process. That means it will be assigned to a prosecutor or panel of prosecutors for P.I.,” De Lima said in a text message.

Samson’s complaints and the DOJ’s impending investigation triggered the Iglesia ni Cristo’s massive protests in front of the DOJ compound in Manila late last week and at EDSA-Shaw and EDSA-Ortigas over the weekend.

The Iglesia ni Cristo claimed that the government was interfering with the group’s doctrines in the discipline of its members.

The group hit the government for allegedly violating the separation of Church and State.

Case not a political pawn

The Iglesia ni Cristo dispersed its rallies on EDSA on Monday morning after a series of meetings between government officials and its leaders.

In a statement on Monday, lawyers Trixie Cruz-Angeles and Ahmed Paglinawan asked for details as regards the agreement, and why their client, “who had unintentionally set off these events by filing his case,” was not included in it.
 
“Tell us whether or not you’ve sold our client down the river… you need to disclose this to us. A criminal case is not a political pawn,” they wrote.

Malacañang denied that some form of compromise was reached by the two sides that led to the group calling off its demonstration.

On Tuesday, De Lima denied that she was resigning soon following the resolution of crisis.

Clarify procedures

Senator Francis Escudero on Tuesday urged De Lima to clarify the DOJ’s policy in accepting complaints to prevent an incident similar to the protest action of the Iglesia ni Cristo.
 
He said those facing complaints before the DOJ panel have limited options if ever they face an adverse ruling.

Escudero indicated that criminal complaints are usually filed before the city prosecutors’ office before being reviewed at the DOJ’s level.
 
“Malabo ang rule ng DOJ kung kailan ba dapat simulan ang kaso sa piskalya, kelan ba dapat simulan ang kaso sa DOJ level mismo,” Escudero said.

“Effectively, nababawasan ng isang remedy o pwedeng apilahan ang isang agrabyado ng ruling o desisyon [kapag nagsimula sa DOJ panel agad],” he said.

Chance to defend selves

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said the Iglesia ni Cristo officials accused of illegally detaining and harassing a former church minister should be given the opportunity to defend themselves.

Belmonte, vice chair of the Liberal Party, said authorities should also consider in their actions the internal rules and regulations observed by the Iglesia ni Cristo.

“I think we should proceed with the procedure of the law but I think we should give every opportunity to persons accused to defend themselves. It should be also taken into consideration that [the Iglesia ni Cristo] is a [religious] organization which may have their internal rules and regulations,” Belmonte said. —NB, GMA News