MANILA, PHILIPPINES — In the May 9 elections, the religious organization Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) formally endorses former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for president and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio for vice president.

“Pagkatapos ng masusing pag-aaral at pagsasaliksik, iaanunsyo ng Iglesia ni Cristo ang mga mapapalad na kandidato na kanilang tutulungan,” the church said in a report broadcast. 

(Iglesia ni Cristo is announcing the deserving candidates it is backing after extensive research and study.)

Over 2 million voting INC members are expected to vote for the candidates recommended by the church officials.

INC’s official support for the Marcos-Duterte party was declared on the sect’s broadcaster NET 25’s primetime evening news program just a week before the elections.

It also announced support for the 12 senatorial candidates listed below:

• Former Vice President Jojo Binay
• Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano
• Former Sen. JV Ejercito
• Former national police chief Guillermo Eleazar
• Sorsogon Gov. Francis “Chiz” Escudero
• Former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada
• Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian
• Antique Rep. Loren Legarda
• Actor Robin Padilla
• Sen. Joel Villanueva
• Former public works and highways Sec. Mark Villar
• Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri”

Marcos’ spokesperson and chief of staff, lawyer Vic Rodriguez, released a statement thanking the INC.

“We will value the support you have given to us just like the support of the majority of our fellow Filipinos. This kind of trust will serve as a guide to presidential frontrunner Bongbong Marcos and vice-presidential leader Inday Sara Duterte in leading our nation should they win in the upcoming elections on May 9,” he said.

Marcos also expressed gratitude to the church for its support.

“Ako po at ang aking pamilya, sampu ng buong alyansang nakapaloob sa UniTeam, ay labis na nagagalak at buong pusong nagpapasalamat sa suportang inihayag ng kapatirang Iglesia Ni Cristo, sa pangunguna ng kanilang Tagapamahalang Pangkalahatan Kapatid Eduardo V. Manalo,” he said in a statement.

(My entire family and I, as well as all members of UniTeam, are grateful to Iglesia Ni Cristo and its leader, Eduardo V. Manalo, for their support.)

Marcos was also endorsed by the religious group way back in the 2016 vice presidential race, where he was narrowly defeated by Robredo, who is also now running for president.

According to the most recent Pulse Asia preference survey, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. stayed on top among presidential contenders, a week before the May 2022 national and local elections.  – WhatALife!

Source: (abs-cbn.com)

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