Rica Peralejo denied claims of the alleged mishandling of church tithes.
The actress took to social media to clarify where the issue originated and to explain how the controversy began.
“Happy new year everyone. It has come to my attention na kung ano ano na yata ang pinagkakalat ng mga tao about me and sa tithes issue. Let me tell you san nagsimula yan. May isang Agathon Topacio na nagcocomment sa Tiktok ko na sinasabing I use the money of the church. So pinatulan ko naman. Nilaro ko. At nakakatawa naman kasi ang akusasyon sakin. It does not make sense,” she wrote.
Rica went on to explain the actual setup between her and her husband, Pastor Joseph Bonifacio, sharing details about their humble beginnings as a married couple. She also acknowledged that she has more assets, having worked since she was 12 years old.
“I have worked ever since I was 12yo. And alam ng asawa ko at lahat ng tao na nung magpapakasal kami, ako talaga ang mas may pera sa aming dalawa. May mga taon pa dito na ako lang ang nagtratrabaho so he can transition out of his old job. I have my assets, investments, properties. And I continue to earn today as a digital content creator, and actress. (May joke pa kami noon na mag prenup daw kami kasi baka daw pag naghiwalay kami ay kuhanin ko pa yung luma nyang Tamaraw FX. We have so many stories of our beginnings talaga hahahaha! Kung di lang kami binigyan ng hand me down cars ay hindi yun mapapalitan.)” she explained.
She also clarified that she was the one who financially supported her husband when he started a new church.
“When he started a new church, ako pa ang nagbibigay ng pera. Pano ko nanakawin yung sarili kong binigay? (Ayoko na sana sabihin ito pero para lang klaro.)” she revealed.
The actress also shared that her husband has other sources of income and that they make it a point not to mix church matters with business.
“My husband has other jobs for this reason. When he started a new church he also did it part-time, and has three other jobs on the side. Kasi ayaw nyang gawing kabuhayan ang simbahan. He gets salary from it but not much kasi kasunduan namin na hindi kami dapat magugutom if ever mawala ang church. Naging desisyon namin yan after naming mapansin na nahahaluan ng business yung pagmamalasakit sa tao kapag ginawa mong kabuhayan ang pagiging simbahan,” she said.
Rica further revealed how they divide responsibilities in their household, including who covers the family’s essentials and other expenses.
“Ever since kami ay magasawa ang naging kasunduan namin sa pera ay lahat ng essentials ay gastos nya. Kailangan mapakain nya kami etc etc. Pag may lagpas dito tulad ng travel etc etc, ako na yun,” she clarified.
She continued by firmly stating that she did not feel the need to explain herself further and expressed hope that those who need to change will do so as the new year begins.
“So sana sapat na yan para sa katahimikan ng lahat. Utang na loob wag nyo akong bastusin at common sense lang. Sana ang yaman yaman ko na ngayon kung ako ay isang magnanakaw. Magmath tayong lahat para maintindihan nyo ang buhay ng magnanakaw sa hindi. Again happy new year. Kaloka sana magbago na yung mga dapat magbago sa taong ito,” Rica expressed.
In another post on the social media platform Threads, Rica added that baseless accusations will lead nowhere.
“Omg ito palang post ko kay Agathon Topacio basher ay pinick up na naman sa labas. Sa totoo lang matapos ko yung ipost eh nalimutan ko na sya at naloka ako ang dami na palang comments. Some na nakakatuwa some naman na. ok ayoko na magtalk. But anyway happy new year guys. Relax. Walang pupuntahan ang baseless accusations,” she said.