Summary of Problems Documented
There has been a lack of accountability with past distributions of benevolence
funds:
The use of multiple
receipts for the same gift makes tracking impossible
Money not distributed
directly to needy saints or their congregations
McDonald states that funds were
delivered through seven central distribution points
In one short trip Halbrook
says he distributed $400,000 to 15,000 Christians
Halbrook states $400,000 was
distributed to central locations
Funds were delivered
to representatives and not directly to the churches
McDonald states distribution in
July 1998 occured in 8 days.
McDonald states he delivered
$237,034 and Halbrook about $145,000, additional funds were sent later.
Speed of distribution
guarantees deliverer did not verify delivery
McDonald did not have time
to visit all the churches and relied on the accounts of preachers believed
to be faithful
Sample of multiple receipts which provide
no accountability
Another sample of multiple receipts
which provide no accountability
Explaination of why the receipts
don't provide accountability
Even a large donation might
be subdivided in small quantities among several churches, each division
combined with other donations, making tracking a nightmare
Only receipts in Halbrook's
possession show the amount of donation applied to each congregation's
gift
Halbrook assures us that the
funds were delivered properly because they lectured the representatives
Halbrook states that the amount
the donor gave did not need to be on the receipt
Halbrook says two men with
accounting backgrounds said the system of receipts was good
Funds are being distributed via
a trust fund administered by local preachers and not directly to the needy
Cempron states that some have not passed
on the full amount entrusted to them
McDonald reportedly has given up on
aiding Filipino preachers in the future
Gumpad has been accepting funds and distributing them without those giving checking up on the distributions
Distribution of benevolence money was not targeted to the needy
Over $200,000 distributed
in an area that was mostly recovered from a drought
Funds were distributed on the
basis of being a Christian and not on a basis of need
Halbrook states that distribution
was made based on membership in the church
Halbrook states that while conditions
on Luzon had improved, it still justified distribution of benevolence
Halbrook states that the
amount of money distributed in Mindanao and Luzon was substantial
Halbrook indicates that approximately
$26 was distributed to each member of the church (not based on need)
Halbrook again states that
they distributed $26 per member of the church
Notarte claims only one large distribution
was made to brethren in 1997 of $18.22 per member of the church
Enostacion claims benevolence money
was used to "convert" people
Preachers profitting from the distribution of benevolence funds and
other funds:
Local preachers accuse Gumpad
of worldly living
Wally Little claims that little
of the money sent to some preachers reach the ones in need
Rody Gumpad
demanding property in exchange for paying medical bills
Purchases made by Rody Gumpad
List of purchases made by Gumpad
in 5 year time span
Details on Gumpad's purchases and how
the actual cost was estimated
Gumpad agrees that he made the
purchases
Gumpads says his properties
were from God's blessings (money given by brethren)
Gumpad was rebuked by nine local preachers
for his misuse of funds (on video tape)
Details of Gumpad's purchases
and why he calls imprecise reports "lies"
List of Gumpad's purchases, the probable
cost, and the amount Gumpad claims they cost
While saying the reported purchase
price is incorrect, Gumpad is careful never to reveal the true cost
Description of Gumpad's new 9 bedroom,
5 bath house and who lives there
Corsino says Gumpad's old house
was in good condition before he tore it down
Halbrook helped Rody Gumpad
purchase a $15,000 car showing an uneven distribution of funds
Wanasen is sadden that Gumpad claims
preaching brings worldly things
Halbrook claims brethren gave Gumpad
money for the purpose of buying a car
Gumpad used $3,000 given for his
son's chemotherapy to purchase a second card and then solicited funds
for his son's chemotherapy the following month
Gumpad states he receives more money
than he requested
The money collected by Gumpad
for a sick sister was used to purchase a car
Gumpad says the reports about
his wealth are exagerated
Hamilton is told Gumpad hired
an ex-preacher as a chauffer
Malone says claim of Gumpad having
a chauffer is false
Wanasen confirms that De Los Reyes
did stop preaching and only resumed when Hamilton's report went out
Gumpad's household servants
Balbin claims no preacher
on Mindanao owns a motorcycle
Mitchell says he saw two and
several tricees (motorcycles with side-cars)
McDonald states that if any
misuse of funds are proven, then the preacher will receive no future funds
Preacher claimed to represent
for funds a group with whom he doesn't worship
One Filipino preacher states
that another preacher did not report all the funds he received
Gumpad admits on video tape to
receiving much more money than he needs
Gumpad returns some checks to
increase interest in him and thereby receiving more future support
Gumpad claims his only source of
income is from U.S. brethren
Preachers document that Gumpad
leases farm land and derives income from it.
Sapitula sends out forms requesting support
for Bible class teachers.
McDonald documents one preacher pocketing
money intended for orphans and widows
Cempron says some receipents of past
aid are spending the funds on wordly pleasures
Enostacion states that money sent
for Bible purchases was spent elsewhere and receipts were altered to cover
it up
McDonald is reported as stating he
will no longer support Filipino preachers
Past distributions have caused men to expect funds for attending meetings
or by simply asking
Little warns in 1979 that poverty
in the Philippines will leave preachers dependent on American aid
Filipinos believe all Americans are
rich and can afford to support Filipino preachers
Preacher's learning they have
a right to wages believe they can demand support from Americans
Cempron complains that distributions
were not made at Halbrook's April 2001 as expected.
Halbrook explains there should not have
been such an expectation
Mitchell claims the problems Cempron
mentions were investigated and found to be untrue.
Cempron eventually apologies when he
realized his belief would cut-off his funding
Enostacion claims Mitchell was taken
by undeserving preachers
Followings of various doctrines are often influenced by who has the
money
Cempron mentions a preacher will gain
a large following because he has funds to distribute.
Harry Osborne documents that many Filipinos
"hero worship" Americans.
J. D. Tant notes that people are compromising beliefs based on who controls funding
Preachers using local problems as appeals for more money:
Rody Gumpad use of his wife's
illness
Rody Gumpad use of his son's illness
Local preachers state that Gumpad
uses family illness to raise money that is spent on properties and houses
Wealth Gumpad has displayed since
his son became ill .
Little documents that Gumpad received
more aid than he needed for his son's illness and spent the excess on
himself
Despite his wealth, Gumpad continues
to appeal for funds for his wife's illness
The death of Halbrook's mother at the end of 1998 impacted his trip in
both 1999 and 2000
Use of rebel fighting on Mindanao
Halbrook sites an article that
31,000 were displaced in fightings, leaving the impression that Christians
were displaced
Wally Little's list of known profitters
Claim of 59 Christians starving to
death on the island of Mindanao and response
Claim of 60 Christians starving
to death on the island of Mindanao and response
Newspapers show a total of
64 deaths due to starvation on the entire island of Mindanao in 1998
Starvation was among the tribals,
who reject the available government aid
Hamilton is uncertain who is supplying
the misleading accounts, but suspects someone on Mindanao
Balbin asserts that the preachers
reporting the starvation should be consulted for verification and not
the newspapers
Halbrook states he used those
reporting the need as verification of the need
Mitchell believes the Filipino press
is government controlled
Hamilton explains that the Philippines
have a free press similar to the United States
Filipino preachers told
Halbrook that press did not know about the deaths by starvation because
of the fighting
Claim of Christians
suffering from a drought and fleeing homes due to rebel fighting and
reponse to drought and flight
A Filipino preacher claims
he can get 150 witnesses that McDonald's report of drought and fighting
is true
Halbrook states he personally
witnessed preachers, children, and brethren suffering
Balbin asserts that Christians are
suffering from the drought
Hamilton acknowledges
the drought and fightings, but disputes that Christians were heavily impacted
Halbrook claims to have talked
with displaced brethren
Halbrook points out that Hamilton
doesn't know the questions he asked of the displaced brethren
Balbin claims Muslims are still
a problem because of splinter groups
Balbin claims rebels are a problem
because communists were fighting the government in the 1980's
Mitchell says he heard artillery
fire while in Mindanao
Halbrook claims to have heard
rifle and mortar fire at night
Hamilton clarifies his dispute about
rebel fighting is whether Christians are impacted
McDonald states that rebel fighting
impacted his travels so it must impact the brethren on Mindanao
McDonald states that he read
interviews with Communists in the newspapers, so they must be a problem
McDonald has a letter testifying
that 4 brethren fleed their village and claims that they know of 400 additional
McDonald has a letter signed
by 29 preachers that 1,800 members were affected by the drought
McDonald has a list of 78
Christians who died by starvation. Again, the sources are local preachers
Possible use of rebel problem by someone
who lives near by not in the know area of fighting
Gumpad uses his son's surgery,
for whom he had already received extra funds, and a typhoon to make an
appeal
Sapitula pleads for payment of his wife's
illness and states he is receiving no support
Julom claims to have converted
so many denominational preachers that he is unable to support the needs
Julom claims his son has epilepsy
and needs funds for diagnosis
Rosendo Gumpad asks that aid for a cancer
patient be sent to him
Notarte uses terrorist activities in
his area to appeal for funds
Notarte states thousands are hungry and
sick because of miltary action in his area
Enostacion states the Notarte is inflating
the problem at best
Intimidation is used to force Christians to comply with the will of
the preacher:
Gumpad is accused of intimidating
others
Rody Gumpad's threat to cut off
aid to Christian's daughter for a needed operation
Balbin barred his nephew from preaching
when he did not back up his uncle's statements
Halbrook wants people to believe
Wilson is a false teacher solely on Halbrook's say so
Halbrook defends Gumpad
Halbrook and McDonald treaten loss
of support if preachers continue to talk to preachers with whom they disagree
Gumpad causes men to lose their
support on his say-so
Gumpad tries to split churches
who have preachers with whom he disagrees
Some confront Gumpad despite
the possible loss of support
Gumpad tries to get charges dropped
by reminding men of past favors in gaining support
Gumpad hints he will reveal a preacher's
possible sins if charges are not dropped .
Gumpad indicates he might sue
for libel when men confronted him with wrong doing
Gumpad threatens to sue for libel
unless charges are dropped . (
Second example )
Mariano was threaten with death
by Enostacion, a Filipino preacher
Man who threatens Hamilton denies
the threat in front of Adams, but he does threaten to try to have Hamilton
expelled from the Philippines
Hamilton continues to be threatened
by a Filipino preacher
Hamilton says he received a death threat
in the mail
Hamilton says he was threaten verbally
in front of a witness and a police report was filed
Hamilton gives details of the investigation
into the threat by officials in the Philippines
Gumpad took McDonald to a different
officer than the one who took Hamilton's report
Malone claims threat against Hamilton's
life could not have occurred.
Gumpad, in the middle of a tirade,
admits that a complaint was registered with the police
McDonald says he was mistaken
on the officer's rank, but not his name
Hamilton was attacked in his own home
Preachers tried to blackmail with rumors
and threats of violence
Salung speaks of common knowledge of
wrong doing, but brethren fear to speak out
Balbin calls Hamililton a coward for
not accepting a debate about Balbin's past statements
J. D. Tant notes some intimidation that he has heard about
Since most Americans are unfamiliar with the country, some inflate membership
and attendance:
Claim of 10,000 Christians on
the island of Mindanao and response
Claim of 7,000 Christians aided
on the island of Mindanao
Claim of aid given to 15,000 Christians
in the Philippines
Claim of having started hundreds
of churches and baptized thousands among the tribals
Claim of 1,004 T'boli baptized
in a few months
Gumpad offers food at two churches
for those who would attend
Rosendo Gumpad claims church meets
in his house, but it is too small for numbers claimed and has no sign
Though only a member for
4 years, Julom claims to have led 500 denominational preachers to Christ
Julom claims, as a goal, converting 100-150
denomination preachers and leading 500 to Christ per year
Julom claims his work has brought 400 preachers
and 300 congregations to the Lord
Marrs states Julom has converted hundreds
of denominational preachers and thousands of members
Halbrook and McDonald used professional,
denominational organizers to hold large meetings.
Notarte claims thousands of brethren
evacuated on Mindanao.
Claim of over 15,000 faithful brethren
in just three provinces
Claim of hundreds to thousands of brethren
on the island of Mindanao in the 1970's
Gumpad claims 102 converted in during
a 12-day meeting tour
Enostacion, after visiting the area,
states that many have been taken in by false claims of membership and
conversions
Salunga states that numbers are being
inflated
Enostacion gives some sources as evidence
of inflated memberships in Mindanao
Since local cost of living are unknown, some preachers use estimates
similar to American costs:
Rody Gumpad inflating
the cost of local travel versus the actual cost
Claim of Christians being denied
hospital admittance and response
Preacher lies about support he receives,
which exceeds the standard wage
Rosendo Gumpad askes for seven
times the wage he could make working locally
A car is not a necessity in the
Philippines for many Filipinos
Inflated claim of a monthly payment
on a motorcycle.
Rosendo Gumpad asks for funds for to pay
doctor, though doctor are paid by the government
2006 Estimates of Living, Nominal, and
Real Wages in the Philippines by Region
Nardo claims what amounts to $1,100 of
monthly living expenses
Rudy Gumpad's monthly report for February,
2007
Halbrook solicits funds for Carino, who recently lost more support than most Filipinos make earning a living.
Lack of experience in the country makes Americans susceptible to fraud:
Little in 1979 noted that known
crooks were soliciting American churches for support
Local preachers disgusted with
Gumpad teaching them to profit from American benevolence
Filipinos bemoan how easily
Americans are deceived
Unable to speak
the local language
Little time is physically
spent in the country
McDonald only planned to spend
two days on Midanao to distribute aid
McDonald made no plans to
visit the needy areas, left no time for a visit, and has no means of determining
the truth
Halbrook states that his correspondence
for 30 years with Filipino brethren allows him to know who is honest
Halbrook lists Ben Libertino,
Julie Notarte, Juanito Balbin, and Emilio Lumapay as faithful men
Halbrook defends Rudy Gumpad,
calling Hamilton's evidence against Gumpad lies
Hamilton explains his experience
in the Philippines and his personal knowledge of Gumpad
Little's list of men known to be
profitting from American aid
Little points out he has been in
the Philippines since 1966
Legal terms, such as
tribal, can be misapplied, giving false impressions
Halbrook mixes the definitions
of tribal and cultural minority
Balbin mixes the definitions of
tribal and cultural minority (two separate classifications in the Philippines)
Hamilton straightens Mitchell out
on the meaning of tribal
Halbrook dismisses the definition
of tribal as being unimportant
McDonald has a letter claiming
1,004 people were baptized among the T'boli tribe
In a short trip, Halbrook says he
baptized 300 people
In another short trip, Halbrook
says he baptized 270 people
Confusion on divorce and remarriage
can result because local customs and laws are different from the United
States
Gumpad deceived brethren when
Gumpad said his old house was deteriorating
Corsino confirms Gumpad's old
home was not deteriorating
Wanasen states that McDonald
supressed the evidence that he sent of the corruption in the Philippines
Gumpad admits he sent Marrs documents
on his property containing the wrong purchase price
Short associations with a man does
not tell you what he is like
Gumpad reports on congregations
for which he does not preach
Gumpad fabricates information, knowing
most would be unable to verify his charges
Arguelles sends customized notes giving the impression of acquaintance
where none exists. (Note 2) (Note
4) (Note 5)
Burgos states that Rosendo Gumpad and
Roger Salvejo are claiming to be preachers without cause.
In one short trip, Steve Wallace reports
300 people being baptized
Nortarte claims almost constant baptisms
in one month of meetings
In a 47-day trip of one week stops,
McDonald claims 236 baptisms, turned 3 congregations from false doctrine,
and started several congregations
Julom writes to Ken Marrs that members
of six demnominations are threating his life
Julom states he is behind on
his bills, yet also claims to be working in several countries -- not just
the Philippines
Julom sends out the same list of needs
a month later
Julom is involved in professional organization
of meetings
Baptized people disappear after "conversion"
Rody Gumpad claims 76 baptisms at one
congregation in one year's time.
Domie Jacob is cashing checks faster
than Filipino banks process them, giving indication that he is using the
black market.
Notarte claims thousands of brethren
evacuated between 2002 and 2003 with many dying.
Bowers appeals on Notarte's behalf without
taking time to verify Notarte's claims
Samson implies that justice is unknown
in the Philippines
McDonald and Andy Alexander reportedly
acknowledge that they were defrauded
Hamilton points out Nardo is exaggerating
his expenses and wanting more support than most people make in his area
Thomas, upon staying with the Gumpads, thinks the evidence against Rody can't be true because he and his wife are nice people
Associating names with people are used to give the impression of approval
or the impression of holding false beliefs:
Balbin aligning himself with
famous preachers
Balbin giving the
impression that Hamilton agrees with Little and Puterbaugh
Little points out that he has known
Gumpad for over 15 years
Little and Puterbaugh raised aid for
Gumpad's son
Halbrook acknowledges that he
doesn't know Hamilton
Halbrook links Hamilton
to various men and implies the association makes Hamilton unreliable
Halbrook states that Hamilton lies
and distorts the truth
Hamilton explains his relationship
with the men Halbrook dislikes
Hamilton gives details
on his relationship with Little and Puterbaugh
Halbrook lies about Hamilton's
relationship with his father-in-law
Halbrook claims to know more
about Hamilton's family than Hamilton
Halbrook "proves"
Hamilton is in fellowship with Little and Puterbaugh by citing his association
with Wilson
Gumpad claims relationships
with Marrs, Halbrook, McDonald, Little, and Kay
Hamilton's paper showing his position
on Little and Puterbaugh's beliefs of "One Covenant" and Remarriage
McDonald and Halbrook's treatment
of Puterbaugh
Gumpad gives false information on
the teachings of others
Malone claims Hamilton can't
be trusted because of those with whom he communicates
Wanasen charges McDonald with
causing confusion and division in the Philippines
Domie Jacob tried to play this game and
justly lost his support from one congregation
Guillermo's letter filled with familar
names
J.D. Tant notes several instances of branding people by association.
Knowing the lack of communication, preachers solicit men from different
sides of issues within the church
Burgos plans to solicit men with diverse
beliefs.
A month later Burgos mentions in a letter
that he is not attending services.
Newly converted men are being encouraged to call themselves preachers
and receive support from Americans
Little noted in 1979 the problem
of new converts becoming preachers because it paid well
Halbrook and McDonald call newly
baptized men preachers
In the same year they are baptized,
denominational preachers are teaching the truth
McDonald asks for support for newly
converted denominational preachers
Julom makes large conversion claims
after only becoming a Christian four years ago
Julom makes several references to newly
converted preachers (not Christians) and mentions many are returning to
their old beliefs.
Notarte states that Bugcotan began preaching
immediately after being baptized
Oversight over multiple congregations being practiced:
Balbin claims oversight of
65 congregations and 85 preachers
Second claim of Balbin overseeing
65 congregations and 85 preachers
Gumpad claims to be the evangelist
of Cagayan (a region in the Philippines)
Gumpad believes an evangelist
is someone who travels to train preachers
Gumpad claims oversight of many
congregations and assigns preachers to congregations
Enostacion claims oversight
of several areas
Preachers claiming to belong to other
preachers
Metro Church of Christ is arranging the visitation schedule of preachers for multiple congregations
Just plain errors in practices and beliefs:
Halbrook reimburses expenses
for preachers who come hear him speak
Halbrook denies handing out
money to preachers who attends his lectures
Hamilton recalls McDonald and
Marrs giving money to preachers who attended their lecture
Gumpad offers food at two churches
for those who would attend
Mitchell charges Hamilton with
lying and slander before checking Hamilton's evidence
Bernasor complains that another
preacher claimed to represent two churches
Funds are being distributed via
a trust fund administered by local preachers and not directly to the needy
A board of five local preachers
is determining the distribution of funds from America
McDonald used to pay food and
transporation costs for men to come hear him speak, now he just feeds
them
Preacher admits he doesn't pay his
taxes
Rosendo Gumpad says he doesn't pay
taxes
Rody Gumpad admits claiming a lower
purchase price to avoid paying taxes
McDonald admits a local preacher
is doing wrong, but turns against the person pointing out the sin
Local preacher living in adultery
receives support from Americans
Salviego admits to living in adultery
for 17 years, but claims his "repentance" makes it not a sin
McDonald reports that Salviego has "entered"
[?] into a questionable marriage
Gumpad tears up a letter of
rebuke and calls the senders "Satan"
Rosendo Gumpad uses the illegal
black market to cash support checks
Gumpad brings up past, forgiven sins
to defame one who brought charges against him
Gumpad sees support funds
as God's blessing and lack of support as God's punishment ( Second example ) ( Third example )
Gumpad presumes to eternally
condemn his accusers ( Second
example )
Claim that a Filipino preacher
teaches that partaking of the Lord's Supper forgives sins
Enostacion is accused of cursing
another preacher
Enostacion is accused of drunkenness
Lies to preachers used to get their signatures
on a document against Hamilton ( Second testimony )
Gumpad admits on vidotape to lying
about his purchase price of land to Marrs and to reduce his taxes illegally
Gumpad signs affidavit that he lied to
Marrs about his purchases ( Gumpad's
version that only he signed )
Gumpad scribbles out his name on the
affidavit, but then resigns the document
Gumpad tells Marrs he removed his
and his brother's name from the affidavit
Gumpad had an adulterous couple
living over a pig-sty on his property
McDonald tells Wanasen he would
do one thing and then does the exact opposite
Ronnie Gumpad was caught lying
about the support he received
Preacher interrupts a Bible
study to make accusations about a two year old event
Salviejo resorts to name calling
McDonald charges Little, Hamilton,
and Wanasen of writing without adequate checking for the truth
McDonald and Halbrook state that being
materialistic is not a doctrinal matter
Filipino preacher affirm that Gumpad
is materialistic, sets a bad example, and deceitful
Castillon talks of being directly lead,
as if the Spirit told him to write
Julom seems to see Christianity as a means
to material wealth
Julom claims the great commission requires
Christians in distant countries to support his work in the Philippines
Smearing the names of other preachers to
enhance personal status. [Response]
J. D. Tant lists several problems