Exodus 23:1
“Do not spread false reports. Do not help a wicked man by being a malicious witness.
OPINION
An open letter to Arnold Clavio
Arnold Clavio, Brother Eli Soriano was your latest subject in your feature documentary in GMA-7, a TV Program entitled, Case Unclosed, with an episode, “Brother Eli, paninirang Puri?”, in the night of 18, June 2009. Mr. Clavio, as the host, you presented Daniel “Puto” Veridiano as your resource person.
I have five points of contention here, 1. the credibility of your resource person and his affiliation; 2. the victims of your program; 3. the overturn of your Networks’ decision and sense of fairness, wherein the reasons for the resignation of Brother Daniel Razon and GMA Network were totally neglected; 4. your objective of presenting such show despite of legal concerns and your Network’s objective; and 5.the misinformation brought by your lack of judgment and sense of justice by the overall presentation of the episode concerns, that is, the impression you left in the minds of the viewers about Brother Eli and Daniel Veridiano. Therefore, let me tackle them to you one by one.
Firstly, Daniel “Puto” Veridiano has admitted of raping some 14 brothers, while he was in Ang Dating Daan, in videos of his self-confession posted in YouTube.com. But did you bring this up? The case you and your resource person, Mr. Veridiano, talked about has been long time ago dismissed, specifically by the Regional Court of San Fernando in Pampanga. Brother Eli was not physically available to be on that place where Daniel Veridiano claimed he was raped. This legal suit was a form of retaliation for being excommunicated in Ang Dating Daan. But the case was re-filed by Mr. Raul Gonzalez, the Secretary of Justice. And now, you are unfolding it to the masses that your Network claims your biggest share.
There are several articles and stories like this one, which are misleading that can be linked to the presentations and teachings by the Iglesia Ni Cristo, INC, about Brother Eli Soriano’s gender, in their TV Program, Ang Tamang Daan, even in the Internet blogs and forums. In the Philippines, a man’s manliness is often doubted when he cannot stand up for his principle, “walang bayag” in Tagalog. And yet, this INC leaders are the ones who cannot come out in the open, to stand up for their faith and principle, that is, they cannot call the dare of Brother Eli Soriano on a one on one, a leader versus leader debate. Brother Eliseo Soriano is man enough to spearhead his Bible Expositions and answer the spiritual problems and questions of people, may it be from his enemies in faith or not, face to face or via telephone, even on live television – that no one in the Philippines has the “balls”, dares to duplicate.
Mr. Clavio, it seemed to me that you dared to outshine the Mike Enriquez, with his’ previous feature of Brother Eli Soriano, in his TV Program, “Imbestigador,” to no avail. Mike Enriquez is professional enough, as he didn’t dare to break spoiled news like this. Mr. Enriquez was man enough to approach Brother Eli and call him to clarify certain issues. Mr. Enriquez broadcasted Brother Eli Soriano’s reply to the allegations and accusations against him and to relay the call of the latter for a debate to once and for all stop this rumors being spread by INC. Mr. Clavio, you know very well that you are left to decide, and it will either make or break you. However, I know that you have a fall back after this. Luchi Cruz Valdez, her attempt to come up with her controversial idea, put her to where she is now, after the airing of her ABS-CBN-2 “Special Assignment.” I am sure, both of you will take a great vacation after this, and even work behind the scene for a while.
The only difference here is that, you tackled an issue which is currently under the courts which will burden the subject you wanted to interview because he is in the position where he is obliged not to talk about the merits of the case.
In this regard, whatever the impression being inculcated by the INC about Brother Eli Soriano has been followed up by articles and TV features that the writers and hosts themselves cannot prove. The status quo right now is that they are spreading rumors like a wild fire intending to destroy Brother Eli without regard to any parties that will be affected of such lies.
Secondly, if one would be critical about this kind of journalism, one will have a hint of where this idea is coming from and the extent of its realization in the terms of a grandiose plan plainly being plastered to the minds of the masses by a mastermind, to no avail, yet continuous and self-defeating. Hence, I am no longer surprised that there will be more of this kind of hocus-pocus journalism in the future. If we continue to believe and succumb to the mastermind’s whim, all of us here will become victims.
This is even more preposterous and more humiliating in the part of the gay community, to be an image maliciously created by INC for the leader it tries to destroy. The mere fact that our “gayness” is being used to give insult and destroy one’s reputation and credibility are already a form of discrimination. INC are using this to malign and discredit the most sensible preacher in the world in this times, biblical speaking, when in fact he is neither a gay nor a rapist. As this way of taunting never works for a man sent by God, so, they capitalized now on the person of Daniel Veridiano, who is willing to be used to retaliate, and went a step further to malign Brother Eli Soriano. We are now talking about non-stop legal suit and trial by publicity against the man whom they wanted out of the country, but now going out of their way, forcing him to return to the Philippines. They wanted him back more badly than they wanted him away few years ago. Why? Do you have an answer to this Mr. Clavio?
In my experience, it is only in Brother Eli Soriano’s guidance that I felt and seen what truly is compassion towards gay people and it is only through him who made me understand that being gay is neot evil or bad per se, based in the Holy Bible. I may not have manly gestures because of what my gender is, but what most important is how I live my life out of the hypocrisy of the world - living in accordance to a Christian’s way of life, THAT IS, being true to one’s self and being true to God.
Thirdly, Bro. Eli and Kuya Daniel Razon, the Presiding and Vice-Presiding Ministers of Members, Church of God International MCGI, respectively, have stepped up with “Isang Araw Lang” to do good, encouraging people to do the same at least, a day, not only for their countrymen, but also to the rest of the world. If one can help in doing good, then he will be one step closer to holiness, as we become accustomed in doing good. The whole year starts in a day.
What happened to you, and to GMA? I also understand that ABS-CBN and GMA worked together to solidify a call for people’s initiative for affirmative actions, under the theme “AKO MISMO”, while you, Mr. Clavio, have your byline when you end your program, saying, “AKO NAMAN, Arnold Clavio…”. I don’t think that your last episode portrays anything about that principle. It is totally the opposite of GMA-7’s previous decision.
Kuya Daniel Razon resigned from GMA-7 many years ago and chose his God, and currently working in UNTV-37, in service to God and humanity.
In an article written by DINDO M. BALARES, in Manila Bulletin, dated 16 June 2005, wherein the title reads, “Daniel Razon resigns from GMA-7,” states,
“…GMA 7, for its part, explained Razon’s sudden disappearance from the show:
“In a move to clarify the issues surrounding Unang Hirit host Daniel Razon, GMA Network has decided to exercise our right to let go of Razon after giving him the required notice under his contract with the network.”
The network said that it has decided to release Razon “to maintain its neutrality in the midst of the on-going bitter conflict between the Iglesia ni Cristo and Ang Dating Daan.”
They also confirmed reports that the network had been receiving text messages from both Iglesia ni Cristo and Ang Dating Daan members, each accusing the other of wrongdoing, even prior to the release of Razon.
“However, after years of the same protracted conflict, and with no resolution in sight, GMA Network felt being placed in the middle of such conflict will not serve its best interest and decided to let go of Razon.”
GMA also made it clear that two months ago, they, along with the Iglesia ni Cristo agreed to the non-renewal of INC’s “Pasugo” program that used to air every Saturday morning, stressing that they are not taking the side of any party in the said conflict….”
Arnold Clavio, what side are you taking now? What definition of neutrality are you maintaining?
Fourthly, your Network claims to be the Number one. But you do it by trying to catch shoals of fish by now feeding people with spoiled news and features. But the sad part is, you are not being true to your Network’s theme, “…SANDIGAN NG KATOTOHANAN, …WALANG KINIKILINGAN, … SERBISYONG TOTOO LANG.” You are in a Network, but you are now using bait in the person of Brother Eli Soriano, so that the plethora of fish will come after you. I hope you will soon realize that the plethora of fish that you caught may make your ship sink.
What’s cooking, Arnold Clavio? Don’t you have any more fresh ideas to feed people?
You are not delving on the truth! You failed to present complete research about Daniel Veridiano, not even his self-confession and personal transaction caught in video cameras which are all readily available in YouTube!
Don’t hide under the convenience of telling people that you couldn’t get to the other side of the coin. At least, Luchi Cruz Valdez went to Apalit to cover up her stories by making sure that she gets a video of herself with her making faces, to make people believe that she did her best. Although we know who the big man behind these, your documentary is totally different in terms of legal concerns.
Lastly, you left the public with an insinuation that Brother Eli did not give a reply to your enquiry nor there is a valid receipt of your notice, but instead you did not explain the legal concerns or consequences should Brother Eli discuss with you the merits of the case. Hence, by not exhausting all the possible means to come up with the truth, where is your sense of justice, then? How can we expect any sensible documentary coming from you, when in fact you failed to give the person, who is still alive, a benefit of the doubt, what more of the deceased in the likes of Ninoy, etc.?
Anyone giving you deadline? Was that the date expected of you to broadcast Daniel Veridiano to destroy Bro. Eli Soriano?
Go now, Arnold, GMA! Finish the case you opened through public apology and present it again with facts and truth. This time, get the side of Brother Eli Soriano, which may never happen as this is still in the Philippine courts. Again, you brought Daniel Veridiano and Brother Eli Soriano in an unfair position where they should not be at the moment, the former whom you left doing all the talking and the latter who cannot clarify the merits of the case at the moment due to legal concerns, as this was re-filed by the secretary of Justice. Again, Mr. Clavio, despite of all the circumstances and legal concerns, you decided to tackle this on TV!
While waiting for your answer, I will not recommend anyone to watch anymore of your stints. I know you have helped a lot of people. I hope you continue to help people, but choose them wisely.
I deleted GMA Network in my TV.
Being true to its name, the said GMA-7 ended that documentary ”case unclosed.” That is just what it means to me – no more, no less. Those feature news that you presented remain unsolved because it is just the controversy and the audience share that you are gunning for
People should know, Daniel “Puto” Veridiano is an INC, and whoever deals with him should know what’s cooking.
Related Articles
Portrait of the “raped man” for whom the Interpol would mobilize
Ang Dating Daan to boycott giant television network
Ang Dating Daan ready to boycott GMA leads signature campaign for justice puno
Ang Dating Daan members cry foul to GMA docu against Bro. Eli Soriano
What makes a “leading media network”?
My feedback on GMA7 airing Bro. Eli Soriano alleged rape case
The Biblical Preacher that can’t be denied
Thank you for the sorrows – Preacher in Exile
