Cool 'To: MCGI’s Ice-Cold Push for a ₱7M Aircon straight out of poor members' pockets

By MCGI Exiters News Desk

June 1, 2025

Cebu, Philippines – A recent fundraising appeal at a Members Church of God International (MCGI) event has sparked outrage and raised serious concerns over the organization’s financial practices.

During the Pasalamat event in Cebu, MCGI minister Sonny Catan was caught on video calling for a ₱100 “emergency funding drive” from each member to finance what he claimed was a ₱7 million air conditioning renovation for the main chapel in Apalit Central.

The announcement which was delivered with a tone of urgency, has since been echoed across various MCGI chapters, including those overseas. What began as a localized appeal is now being scrutinized as part of a broader and systemic fundraising model that MCGI Exiters say resembles a religious kickback operation.

Members Speak Out: “Emergency” or Exploitation?

Multiple sources within MCGI chapters in Singapore, Australia, North America, and the Middle East report receiving similar appeals. Requests for aircon repairs, chapel renovations, or unspecified “projects” requiring sudden cash contributions.

However, several of these chapels had no visible issues warranting multimillion-peso repairs. In Singapore for instance, MCGI Exiters claim the air conditioning units were recently installed and in good condition.

They alleged that the repair and construction contracts are often awarded to businesses owned or operated by relatives of MCGI leaders, prompting suspicions of internal profiteering. “It’s patterned like a government corruption scheme,” said a former member familiar with the process. “Declare a need, manufacture urgency, then funnel the funds into a friendly contractor.”

An Economy of Guilt and Compliance

The aircon drive is just one part of a broader pattern. MCGI, led by Kuya Daniel Razon, is known to solicit frequent, unreceipted contributions from its members. These include:

• Sudden pa-target collection for infrastructure projects

• Concert and event tickets sold above market price without invoice

• Mandatory participation in “charity” programs that double as brand promotions

Observers note that while members are often called to “sacrifice for the cause,” top leadership appears to enjoy a lifestyle far removed from the average follower.

“The church is asking the poor to fund basic amenities, yet its leaders are seen riding luxury motorcycles, donating millions to police forces, and hosting expensive concert productions,” said another former member. “Where is the accountability?”

The Razon Factor: Mixing Religion and Politics

Daniel Razon, commonly referred to as “Mahal na Kuya” by followers, has made headlines in recent years for multi-million peso donations to the Philippine National Police, donations allegedly drawn from church resources.

Exiters argue these are not acts of charity, but rather part of a political image-building strategy. These donations are reportedly made without the consent or consultation of ordinary members.

“This isn’t generosity,” one observer said. “This is strategic laundering using the language of public service to mask political consolidation.”

“May Datong sa Proyekto”

One of the more pointed criticisms comes from within MCGI itself: “May datong sa proyekto. Ang maayos, pilit sisirain. Ang gumagana pilit gigibain” A phrase gaining traction among dissenters familiar with the government corruption scheme using public works and road repairs. It points to a pattern where even functioning chapels are torn down and rebuilt allegedly to justify further collections and profit-driven contracts.

“Why demolish what works? Why rebuild something that doesn’t need fixing?” asked one disillusioned member. “Because there’s money in repairs and construction.”

A System Under Strain

Whistleblowers describe what they call “Kuyanomics,” an internal economy sustained by constant member contributions, feeding a growing list of church-business crossovers and political investments.

As membership attrition rises and donations dwindle, pressure on remaining members intensifies. “They’re squeezing what’s left,” said a former district officer. “The faithful are now funding the illusion.”

One quote from a former member captures the discontent: “The poor always pay for the aircon. But it’s always Kuya who enjoys the breeze.”

A Faith Community at a Crossroads

As the footage from Cebu circulates online, more members are beginning to question the financial demands made in the name of faith. With mounting internal criticism and a growing body of evidence pointing to systemic abuse of power, MCGI’s leadership faces increasing pressure to explain where the money goes—and why.

“No aircon should be colder than the hearts of those who impose it,” reads one viral caption from a circulating exposé.

The question now is whether MCGI can withstand the chill of public scrutiny.