Team DailyPedia
Politicians seeking an audience with the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) during election season is nothing new with candidates going after bloc voting of the religious sect. But just a few more days before the May 9th national elections, President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III decided to pay the INC a visit.
In the early morning of May 2, 2016 (Monday), PNoy visited the INC compound and met with the religious organization’s Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo to make “political appeals.”
President Aquino, who also was endorsed by the INC during the 2010 elections, told the reporters of his gratitude for the religious organization and the continuous support it has shown:
“First, nagpapasalamat muna ako dahil talaga namang nadama natin ang suporta (of the INC) throughout the administration, and even before I have been in office. Tapos parang sharing also the vision sana of what (happens) after I step down from office, usual appeals and political appeals. As usual, maganda ang pagkatanggap sa atin ni Ka Eduardo.”
(“First, I would like to give thanks because we really felt the support (of the INC) throughout the administration, and even before I have been in office. Then, we also shared the vision of what happens after I step down from office, usual appeals, and political appeals. As usual, Ka Eduardo warmly received us.”)
President Aquino however did not elaborate on what these “political appeals” were. Later within the day, Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma released a statement quoting the President about the matter.
“I asked for the meeting. I thanked him for the support he and his brethren have extended to us. I enumerated the gains under ‘Daang Matuwid.’ Lastly I expressed the hope that these gains will not only be continued but built upon in the future.”
Former DILG secretary and Liberal Party’s standard-bearer Mar Roxas plans to continue President Aquino’s “Daang Matuwid” programs. Roxas gave a statement hours after the unannounced visit of the President with Manalo, stating he is confident of his victory with or without Iglesia ni Cristo’s endorsement.
