The influential Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) has thrown support behind the presidential tandem of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte Carpio in the May 9 elections.
With less than a week before the national elections, the religious group announced the endorsement of the Marcos-Duterte tandem, handing a boost to their respective presidential and VP candidacies.
The INC endorsement of the national candidates was officially announced during the “Mata ng Agila” news program on NET 25 television on Tuesday, May 3. Photos of the national candidates in separate meetings with INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo have been shared during the newscast.
The Politiko earlier first reported that former Senator Marcos and Davao City Mayor Duterte have secured the precious INC endorsement ahead of the elections.
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“Ang kaisahan ng Iglesia ay kinikilala ng mga miyembro nito na isa sa aral ng Bibliya na dapat na sundin. Ang pasya ng pamamahala ng Iglesia ay iginagalang ng mga miyembro nito. Ang mga politiko naman ay kinikilala ang magagawang tulong ng unity ng Iglesia sa kanilang ikapapanalo sa Mayo 9 araw ng Lunes sa araw ng botohon,” the announcement read by the NET 25 news anchor.
“Narito ang mga kandidato na pagkatapos ang masusing pag-aaral at pagsasaliksik, iaanunsyo ng Iglesia ni Cristo ang mga mapapalad na mga kandidato na kanilang tutulungan… Ang pinakamapalad na tutulungan ng Iglesia sa pagkapangulo ay si Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. Sa pangalawang pangulo, Sara Duterte Carpio.”
UniTeam presidential tandem Marcos and Duterte meantime released a video message thanking the INC for the endorsement. Both poll aspirants expressed heartfelt gratitude for the honor to receive the INC support and promised to bring unity and progress to the county.
“Sa ating mga kapatıd na Iglesia Ni Cristo, ako po at aking pamilya sampu ng buong alyansang nakapaloob sa UniTeam ay labis na nagagalak at buong pusong nagpapasalamat sa supporting inihayag ng kapatirang Iglesia Ni Cristo sa pangunguna ng tagapamahala pangkalahatan kapatid Eduardo Manalo,” Marcos said.
“Sisikapin namin na ang tiwalang ipinagkaloob ninyo sa aming tambalan ay magbubunga ng tunay na pagkakaisa ng mga Pilipinong nagmamahal sa Pilipinas at walang alinlangan na sama-samang haharap sa mga pagsubok,” he said.
Duterte, for her part, also appreciated the INC support, admitting this carries a challenge to the tandem to bring unity and recovery to the country amid the pandemic.
“Ang pagpili sa amin apo Bongbong Marcos bilang mga kandidato na inyong sinusuportahan sa pagkapresidente at bise presidente sa darating na halalan ay isang malaking karangalan na may kaakibat na hamong nakatuon sa aming kakayahan na mapag-isa ang bansa, makapagbuklod ng mga Pilipino at maitawid ang sambayanan sa krisis na dulot ng pandemya,” she said.
Marcos and Duterte are currently the leading presidential and vice presidential candidates based on recent pre-election surveys. In campaigning across the country, the presidential duo has trumpeted the message of unity to attain progress in the country.
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The INC has also endorsed several senatorial aspirants, including actor Robin Padilla and former police chief Guillermo Eleazar, in the May polls.
The INC list of Senate bets also includes the following:
- Actor Robin Padilla
- Former PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar
- Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri
- Senator Joel Villanueva
- Senator Sherwin Gatchalian
- Sorsogon Governor Francis Escudero
- Antique Rep. Loren Legarda
- Former Public Works Secretary Mark Villar
- Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano
- Former Vice President Jejomar Binay
- Former Senator JV Ejercito
- Former Senator Jinggoy Estrada
