RELIGIOUS group Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) yesterday formally endorsed the candidacies of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte-Carpio.
The INC, which made the announcement through its media Network Net 25, said it chose the candidates after a “thorough study and research.”
The INC also endorsed the senatorial candidacies of Jejomar Binay, Alan Peter Cayetano, JV Ejercito, Guillermo Eleazar, Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Sherwin Gatchalian, Loren Legarda, Robin Padilla, Joel Villanueva, Mark Villar, and Juan Miguel Zubiri.
Net 25 also aired a taped message from Marcos and Duterte-Carpio after the announcement.
The two thanked the INC, vowing to work hard to repay the trust bestowed on them and to keep their promise of uniting Filipinos.
“Sisikapin po namin na ang tiwalang ipinagkaloob ng kapatirang Iglesia Ni Cristo ay magbubunga ng tunay na pagkakaisa ng mga Pilipinong nagmamahal sa Pilipinas at walang alinlangan na sama-samang haharap sa mga pagsubok na daraanan sa paghanda ng magandang bukas para sa ating kabataan (We will try to ensure that the trust that the INC has given will bear fruit and result in the unity of Filipinos who love the Philippines and will undoubtedly come together to face challenges in preparing for a better tomorrow for our youth),” Marcos said.
Duterte-Carpio said the INC support is an honor and a challenge for them to truly unite the country and the Filipinos, and lead the country out of the crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The INC members has a reported voting members of at least 2 million.
In separate statements, Marcos’ chief of staff and spokesman Vic Rodriguez and Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats’ president Rep. Martin Romualdez said the Marcos-Duterte Carpio tandem thanks the INC led by Eduardo Manalo for their endorsement and support.
Romualdez said the INC is known to vote as a bloc and their expression of support for the tandem “seals what we expect to be the landslide victory on Monday of our candidates.”
“With broad support from our people, including INC members, it will be easier for our candidates, should they win the vote, to deliver on their promise of uniting the nation behind its new leaders and the difficult challenges it will face ahead,” he said.
The INC, in 2016, endorsed then Davao mayor Rodrigo Duterte for president and Marcos for vice president.
Marcos lost to Vice President Leni Robredo who is now running for president.
