INC endorses Duterte-Marcos

MANILA, Philippines - After several days of denying reports, the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) has officially announced that they are supporting presidential bet Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and vice presidential candidate Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the May 9 elections.

The INC is purportedly able to deliver two million voters, which could be a factor in Monday’s tightly contested electoral races.

Meanwhile, a sample ballot that would allegedly be distributed by the El Shaddai on Saturday night shows no endorsement for president. However, the group will endorse Marcos for vice president and 12 senatorial bets. An El Shaddai insider said they do not have bloc voting, and the members also preferred different presidential candidates.

Frontrunner Duterte has also received the support of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the founder and leader of the religious group Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name.

Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II remains unfazed by the INC endorsement even as he vowed to continue his fight for decent governance, while the camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay said it respects the decision of the INC.

INC spokesman Edwil Zabala has been denying reports that their group chose Duterte and Marcos, and even threatened to file charges against those responsible for fueling the news.

“The moment we identify the person/s responsible for this fraudulent ‘letter’ containing the forged signature of Brother Eduardo Manalo, we will charge them in court,” Zabala said.

He was referring to a letter that has gone viral online and supposedly signed by INC executive minister Eduardo Manalo, stating that their group is endorsing Duterte.

He also denied reports that the INC has endorsed Marcos because of his family ties with the church.  

But an article posted on the official website of the eaglenews.ph – a corporation owned by INC members – stated that they have already chosen Duterte and Marcos along with 12 senatorial candidates whose names were listed in sample ballots that were “distributed to INC members all over the country.”

The INC is supposedly supporting Joel Villanueva, Dick Gordon, Franklin Drilon, Risa Hontiveros, Francis Tolentino, Martin Romualdez, Ralph Recto, Manny Pacquiao, Vicente Sotto, Sherwin Gatchalian, Panfilo Lacson and Juan Miguel Zubiri for senators.

A copy of sample ballot from the INC containing the candidates’ names has leaked online, but Zabala also vigorously denied it.

Zabala did not respond to The STAR when asked to confirm the eaglenews.ph article, but he has said previously that it is indeed connected to the INC.

“In a circular letter read by INC ministers, INC executive minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo reminded all the brethren to follow God’s teachings on unity when they go to the polls on May 9,” the eaglenews.ph stated.

The eaglenews.ph cited Zabala, saying that “all true INC members” will vote as one in unity with the administration of the INC. 

Duterte paid Manalo a courtesy call on April 22 while Marcos visited on April 26. All five presidential candidates have sought the INC’s endorsement. 

Vice President Jejomar Binay, Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Mar Roxas, Senators Grace Poe and Miriam Defensor-Santiago also sought the endorsement of the INC. 

Duterte’s spokesman, Peter Laviña, welcomed the endorsement of the INC, saying that it would be “a big boost” in their fight against alleged attempts by the administration to cheat in the elections. 

“This endorsement shows that Duterte’s advocacy for Tunay na Pagbabago has resonated to almost all our people and all our church formations affected by the rising crimes and drugs, continuing corruption and government neglect, poverty and sufferings of our people,” Laviña said.

Duterte’s miting de avance will be held on May 7 in Rizal Park, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

El Shaddai’s turn

Copies of the alleged sample ballot from the charismatic group El Shaddai are already reportedly being circulated among media groups.

The sample ballot shows all the names of the five candidates in the presidential race, namely Binay, Santiago, Duterte, Poe and Roxas.

However, it is noticeable that the name of Binay seemed to appear in bold letters.

“I think we are printing five million copies of the sample ballots and we have to hire the services of several printers. So if it seems that the name of a particular candidate is more emphasized, then it must be with the printer,” the source said.

He added that El Shaddai does not endorse a candidate. “Moreover, the results of last Saturday’s survey showed that El Shaddai members are divided as to whom they would want to become president. We are not like other religious organizations that do bloc voting, so it was decided to let the members choose. But in the case of the vice presidency, it was unanimous that they picked Marcos.”

In the sample ballot, the names of 12 senators that they would support were listed as: former interior secretary Rafael Alunan III, former justice secretary Leila de Lima, Valenzuela Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian, Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, former senator Francisco Pangilinan, Sen. Ralph Recto, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo, former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino, former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) chief Joel Villanueva and former senator Migz Zubiri. – With Evelyn Macairan, Gerry Lee Gorit, Janvic Mateo, Alexis Romero