Journalist faces criminal charge in Philippines over criticism of powerful independent Christian denomination

Philippine journalist Marchel Espina charged with unjust vexation over opinion article

Bangkok, July 24, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists on Friday called on the Iglesia Ni Cristo religious group to drop its criminal complaint of unjust vexation against journalist Marchel Espina over an opinion piece published by a community news site. On July 17, Espina, former editor-in-chief of the local SunStar Cebu, voluntarily surrendered to the...

Journalist faces criminal charge in Philippines over criticism of powerful independent Christian denomination

MANILA, Philippines – A Philippine court has ordered the arrest of a Filipino journalist for publishing an opinion piece against the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), a Christian organization widely considered the most powerful independent Church in the mostly Catholic nation.  The criminal case arises from a private complaint – something possible under Philippine law – and has drawn strong reaction from journalists and press freedom monitors. It also pu…