THE ‘systematic ’Iglesia ni Cristo in reaching out to its faithfuls around the world is the reason why President Rodrigo Duterte appointed its leader, Eduardo Manalo, as special envoy for overseas Filipino concerns, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said.
This despite the presence of the DFA’s Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs. Cayetano also admitted that his agency was the one that recommended Manalo to Duterte.
“One reason is that they have churches in several countries around the world, and Ka Eduardo is actually visiting many of them, and anyone of you here who have dealt with the Iglesia ni Cristo church in the localities, if you can see it, it’s very organized, whether it’s a member or non-member who will complain,” Cayetano, a born-again Christian, explained.
The INC, which is led by Manalo, is known for its bloc voting during presidential or senatorial elections.
During the Presidential elections in 2016, the INC endorsed and asked its faithfuls to vote and support for Duterte.
“That system will benefit Filipinos,” Cayetano, who was Duterte’s running mate, added.
Cayetano also noted that part of INC’s system where designated administrators in each place of worship worldwide has a liaison with the government leaders.
He also added that their assessment on special envoy is not put of need but if it is beneficial to the country and Manalo, Cayetano said, had “special connections” with the Filipinos.
“Syempre gusto ng DFA kami na lang, pero kung may special connection yung tao na yun doon, at makakatulong sa atin, we have to admit that it is beneficial,” he explained.
He also said Manalo’s appointment is also due to Duterte’s “special friendship” with the religious leader.
“What also intitated this is the relationship ni President Duterte and Ka Eduardo Manalo, because they have very good relationship, diyan nag-start, so implementor na lang kami,” he said.
Manalo’s role, he said, will be continuous consultation with Filipinos abroad, either they are expat, immigrants or OFWs.
His role too is finding solutions and wil directly communicate to Malacañang.
“And then kami kung meron special kami problema sa areas na they have strong presence malaking influence ni Ka Eduardo, then we will als ask for help,” he added.
