Team DailyPedia
Religious groups in the Philippines have had some political sway since they resort to bloc voting for most elections. Politicians usually seek an endorsement from said groups and this year ir appears that Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. has the approval of the Iglesia ni Cristo.
In a report posted by the Philippine Star, Senator Marcos was supposedly informed by the INC management last April 26 (Tuesday) that he would be officially endorsed as its Vice-Presidential candidate for the upcoming 2016 elections.
However as soon as the news broke and circulated on social media, the INC leadership released a statement to GMA News stating that it had not yet officially endorsed any candidate for the Vice-Presidency. In a phone interview with Iglesia Ni Cristo spokesperson Edwil Zabala, he stated that,
“Basta sa ngayon ay wala pa kaming opisyal na ine-endorso. Maaring mayroon nang napili ang pamunuan pero wala pa kaming ina-announce.”
[“For now, we (the INC) haven’t officially endorsed anyone. The council might already have chosen but we haven’t made made any announcement.”]
“Hindi ko alam saan nanggaling ang balita na may ine-endorso na. Kung mayroon na, ako dapat ang una makakaalam at magbabalita sa inyo niyan.”
(“I don’t know where the news came from that we are endorsing anyone. If one has been chosen, I should be the first to know and will announce the news to you.”]
Spokesperson Zabala sent a follow-up text message to GMA News Online when probed about other senatorial candidates who were said to be officially endorsed by INC. He then added,
“Huwag kayong mag-alala. Kapag nasabi na namin sa mga kapatid namin sa Iglesia kung sino ang napagkaisahang iboboto ng INC ay sasabihiin din namin sa inyo.”
(“Don’t worry. When we have already shared with our brothers and sisters in the church about who the INC have decided to vote for, we will also share it with you.”)
GMA also consulted with Marcos’ media relation officer Honey Rose Mercado in a phone interview to follow up with the issue. Mercado shared,
“Na-misquote siya. We will issue a press statement soon, but definitely walang sinabi si Senator Marcos na siya na nga ang napiling i-endorse.”
“He (Sen. Bongbong Marcos) was misquoted. We will issue a press statement soon, but definitely Senator Marcos didn’t say that he was selected to be endorsed (by the INC).“
All 2016 Presidential aspirants have also met with the INC management with the hopes of winning the bloc vote that the religious fundamentalist Christian group has been known for in the Philippines and internationally.
From one religious organization to another, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal group El Shaddai was said to have officially endorsed Bongbong Marcos for the Vice-Presidency according to his son Sandro in a social media post which was featured by Politiko.
“Thank you to El Shaddai and Iglesia Ni Cristo in putting their faith and support to my father, your belief in him will not be for nothing! #BBM4VP #AnakNgAgila #PanalongPanaloKaNa
-Sandro Marcos”
The said status update from Sandro Marcos can no longer be found on any of the young Marcos social media account, but has still being circulated by the Marcos family supporters online.
