Senate bets wooing religious groups

MANILA, Philippines - A month before the elections, senatorial candidates from Team PNoy have started wooing the support of influential religious groups in the hope of making it to the Senate.

Three senatorial aspirants from the administration slate admitted asking the help of the voting bloc Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), Mike Velarde’s El Shaddai and the Jesus is Lord (JIL) movement, among others. 

Former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar had earlier said the El Shaddai vowed to support three candidates from Team PNoy and three from the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), all of whom are anti-Reproductive Health advocates.

Villar said that she and senators Koko Pimentel and Antonio Trillanes IV got the support of El Shaddai.  Aurora Rep. Sonny Angara said he sought the support of INC and JIL whose founder, Bro. Eddie Villanueva, is also eyeing a Senate seat. Former senator Jamby Madrigal, meanwhile, expressed hope the INC will support her again in the May 13 elections. 

The senatorial candidates are also seeking the support of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ-The Name Above Every Name headed by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, and other evangelical and baptist churches.