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Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

INC moves on

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"The religious group is gaining more adherents here and abroad."

 

 

The news is that the Iglesia ni Cristo/Church of Christ, in just over a century of existence, now has the third largest following among the country’s religions after the Roman Catholic Church with 80.55 percent and Islam with 5.54 percent. Indeed, with 2.45 percent of all Filipinos claiming adherence to INC’s ways and beliefs, the church founded by the charismatic and learned religious leader Ka Felix Manalo has proven its worth as a firm and steady propagator of the Word of God.

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Now, under the leadership of Ka Felix’s grandson, Ka Eduardo Manalo, the INC continues to move on, gaining even more adherents here and abroad. Aside from building up in every nook and cranny of the country, it is now present in 150 countries all over the world. Quite apart from living up to its disciplined religious teachings, the church has gained prominence resulting from its record-breaking anti-poverty and social services and amelioration programs, a number of which have actually been Guinness World Records holders. Given the strides it has taken thus far, we are certain that the INC will move on under the able and guidance of Ka Eduardo—whose birthday falls on this day, Oct. 31. We wish him good health and continued blessings as he steers the INC to even greater heights. Mabuhay!!!

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Speaking of moving on, we are not at all surprised at the results of the latest Social Weather Stations survey taken last September. Asked whether the country is moving in the right direction, fully 75 percent of all survey respondents said “yes.” That should put all doubters, here and abroad, on notice. Despite all the flak and criticism said about the state of our affairs, a solid majority of all our people believe otherwise. It appears our people have become more discerning and are learning their lessons well. Apparently, all the angry denunciations about inflation, soaring prices and unabated smuggling, among other “ills,” exposed by the critics have been factored in.

But instead of being taken aback and paralyzed to inaction as a result, our people are simply following up on the promises of President Duterte for a safer, better and more livable country. And they are hopeful and do believe that he will deliver on his promises. They believe he will do good by our people and will work for their and the country’s well being.

Trust and confidence about our state of affairs have definitely affected President Duterte’s standing among our people. His fortune, if we may call it such, has become intertwined with that of the country’s state of affairs seen from the eyes of our people. Thus, fully 74 percent of our people have expressed much trust in President Duterte, a four-percentage point up from the June survey.

If we juxtapose that with the intensity, the breadth and the expanse of the criticisms against PRRD over that period, one can almost see the critics banging their heads against the wall. How can this happen? How can we believe the survey when in fact the prices of basic goods—especially rice—have been on the rise, inflation has been eating at the ordinary Pinoy’s purchasing power and crimes against persons and property have been on the rise? How can this be when Duterte’s foul language has been getting worse and his personal health has come under question? How could he have gotten that stratospheric trust rating when he has been issuing all kinds of warnings and all kinds of explanations about things, official or personal? How can his standing among our people stay up high when his party just split up, his people getting dismissed or demoted or otherwise shamed in public? How can this be?

Well, figures don’t lie. That is what the survey said. Maybe our people are satisfied with the declared war on drugs as they are now more free to walk the streets at night. Maybe they are seeing a glimpse of political will as he weeds out the incompetent out of the bureaucracy. Maybe they are happier that we are determined to follow an independent foreign policy, friends to all, enemies to none. Maybe, just maybe, they believed when the President said he will have a better way of handling the rice situation and smuggling , among other recurring concerns of our friends.

So there, ladies and gentlemen. With such stratospheric figures going the country’s and President Duterte’s way, is it any wonder that the criticisms has become louder and the actions against him even more desperate than ever? Abangan.

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