They have spoken. And this time, the endorsement is legit.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. have the support of the influential religous group Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) for president and vice president, respectively.
The endorsement was announced on Wedneday night through a circular by executive minister Eduardo Manalo where he called the INC members to vote as one on election day, reports Philippine Daily Inquirer on its Thu, May 5 print edition.
Philstar.com, however, reports otherwise.
“In a text message to Philstar.com, Iglesia ni Cristo spokesperson Ka Edwil Zabala declined to confirm that members had already been told in worship services that the church has picked candidates it will support,” it said.
Earlier this week, the INC disowned a viral letter telling members to support the Davao mayor’s presidency.
All five presidential candidates have visited the INC headquarters to supposedly get on the good side of influential religious sect.
INC also endorsed the senatorial candidacies of Joel Villanueva, Franklin Drilon, Ralph Recto, Vicente Sotto III, Manny Pacquiao, Richard Gordon, Risa Hontiveros, Sherwin Gatchalian, Francis Tolentino, former Miguel Zubiri, Panfilo Lacson, and Martin Romualdez.
Unofficial estimates say that there are about 2.25 million INC members. Their support, however, does not always guarantee victory.
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