Quezon city: A Catholic prelate clarified on Friday that no church on Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City is entrusted to the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), amid allegations raised during a Senate hearing. In a social media post, Cubao Bishop Elias Ayuban Jr. stated there is no SVD church in the area.

According to Philippines News Agency, Bishop Ayuban emphasized that there is no church entrusted to the Society of the Divine Word on Mindanao Avenue or its vicinity. He further explained that within the Diocese of Cubao, the SVDs are present only in the Sacred Heart Parish-Shrine in Kamuning, the Sto. Ni±o de Violago Quasi-Parish, and the Divine Word Shrine along E. Rodriguez Avenue.

Bishop Ayuban urged the public to be more discerning about information circulating online. He stated that disinformation sows confusion, division, and mistrust, which contradict the Gospel. He called for vigilance in seeking and speaking the truth and urged the community to combat disinformation and uphold truth with charity and responsibility.

The clarification came after 18 former members of the Philippine Marines informed a Senate panel that Rev. Fr. Flaviano Antonio Villanueva, SVD, allegedly received money from fugitive lawmaker Zaldy Co, a key figure in the flood control corruption controversy. The money was purportedly delivered near a church on Mindanao Avenue.

Additionally, a suitcase filled with money was allegedly delivered to Villanueva at the '33 Clemente' address. The Arnold Janssen Kalinga Foundation, founded by Villanueva, categorically denied the allegations, describing them as false and stated that no specific church was identified that matches the witness's description.

The foundation announced that legal action has already been initiated and intends to hold accountable those responsible for the allegations.