Three weeks ago, social anthropologist Melba Maggay faced an online mob over a controversial statement in a press conference.
“I think it is time to challenge the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC),” said Maggay, a revered figure in Evangelical circles, who has pushed for a stronger Christian voice in politics.
She said that the INC, an 111-year-old Christian church known for its bloc voting practice, has “been skewing the democratic process” to support candidates who kowtow to them.
“A minority religion can make things happen,” Maggay said. “What about us? What are we doing? There are 80 million Catholics. There are 25 million Evangelicals. Why don’t we build a coalition that can be God’s voice in our time?”
The video of Maggay’s statement, which has garnered over 800,000 views on Facebook, enraged INC members and supporters who called her out for “hypocrisy.” In their words, why does she criticize the INC for bloc voting, or interfering in politics, when she is calling on Catholics and Evangelicals to do the same?
