De Venecia lauds INC, El Shaddai reconciliation call

Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. yesterday lauded the call of two prominent religious groups for reconciliation, saying this is the "right framework" to bring about a political ceasefire in the country.

In a statement, De Venecia said "great personal sacrifices" can bring about true reconciliation and put an end to "destructive bickering and negative politics."

"True reconciliation calls for political leaders to think less of personal interests and more of how to end the crisis through great personal sacrifices," he said.

De Venecia said he has long suggested the creation of a coalition Cabinet through a government of national reconciliation "to get the country out of prolonged political instability and put it on the path to sustained economic growth."

De Venecia then asked the public to heed the joint appeal by Iglesia Ni Cristo and the Catholic charismatic group El Shaddai last Thursday for administration and opposition leaders to stop the political bickering for the sake of the nation.

The Speaker also called on members of the House of Representatives to work out ways to achieve national reconciliation.

De Venecia proposed reconciliation and a "period of healing" after the majority coalition in the House defeated the impeachment complaint against President Arroyo last month.

Breaking their silence on the issue, Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) executive minister Eraño Manalo and El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde said increasing calls from members of their respective flocks prompted them to appeal for an end to the crisis that experts warn could threaten the country’s economic recovery.

Manalo and Velarde said it was "high time" for the administration and opposition leaders "to set aside their political interests" and "immediately attend to their duty of alleviating the sufferings of the Filipino people, for which they were put into office."

El Shaddai is estimated to have a membership of one million while at least one estimate puts Iglesia ni Cristo’s worldwide membership at three million to 10 million.

Despite the separation of Church and State, El Shaddai and the INC are considered two of the country’s politically influential religious organizations because of their massive following.

Politicians running for office in elections seek the endorsement of the groups’ leaders as well as those of the Roman Catholic Church in the hope that it will translate to votes.

El Shaddai and INC are believed to vote as a bloc in elections.