THE influential Iglesia ni Cristo reminded its over 2.2-million members “to follow God’s teachings on unity when they go to the polls on May 9.”
In a circular letter read by its ministers in all nationwide and international churches, Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo’s call for unity to support presidential bet Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and vice presidential bet Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the May 9 elections.
The names of Duterte and Marcos were written in the sample ballots, along with 12 of the senatorial candidates— Rep. Martin Romualdez, ex-Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Joel Villanueva, ex-senator Richard Gordon, Senate President Franklin Drilon, ex-PhilHealth director Risa Hontiveros, ex-Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino, Leyte Senator Ralph Recto, Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, Senator Vicente Sotto III, Valenzuela Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian, ex-senator Panfilo Lacson and ex-senator Juan Miguel Zubiri.
“We welcome the endorsement of the Iglesia ni Cristo. This is a big boost to our campaign, particularly to thwart attempts by the administration to cheat the elections,” the camp of Duterte said in a statement.
The administration party is trying to condition the minds of the Filipino voters in claiming a Roxas-Robredo victory on its “grand fraud” to unleash with unbelievable election results, Duterte’s official spokesperson Pete Laviña said.
“This endorsement shows that Duterte’s advocacy for Tunay Na Pagbabago has resonated to almost all our people and all our church formations affected by the rising crimes and drugs, continuing corruption and government neglect, poverty and sufferings of our people,” he stressed.
“These issues are close to the hearts of our moral leaders and the various churches have their own campaigns to end this malady.”
“We thank the INC as well as all other religious groups and religious leaders. In fact, we are very grateful that no less than the Pope [Francis] himself has written to Duterte and saying his own prayers,” Laviña said.
Romualdez thanked the Iglesia ni Cristo for endorsing his senatorial candidacy, vowing to serve God and people through his “malasakit’’ (compassionate) advocacies should he win a Senate seat.”¨”¨Romualdez, who has been endorsed by presidential front runner Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, expressed gratitude to INC for believing on his ability and leadership as senatorial candidate who can contribute for the betterment of the country.”¨”¨
“I am inspired, deeply humbled and honored by the INC endorsement. This is a very good news to my family and supporters. From the bottom of my heart, I thank Iglesia ni Cristo Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo and all the members of this well-respected religion,’’ Romualdez said.
Romualdez, who has consistently placed from 10th to 14th place in various poll surveys, said he will not fail INC, a homegrown Christian sect known for its bloc-voting, and would show that he is worthy of their support.ӬӬ My commitment is I will not disappoint them for I will do everything to be worthy of the trust and confidence they will give me, Romualdez, House Independent Bloc leader, said.ӬӬ I am one with them in pushing transparency and accountability in public service that will truly cares and genuinely serve the poorest of the poor. Ibabalik po natin ang malasakit sa serbisyo publiko (Let us bring back compassion in governance). That is my commitment, Romualdez stressed.
He recalled that INC was among the first groups that helped Yolanda victims when the super typhoon struck Eastern Visayas especially Tacloban City on November 8, 2013.ӬӬ gI thank the INC for being there when Eastern Samar especially in Tacloban city needed them the most. Thank you for helping us recover from tough times in life, h Romualdez said.ӬӬ