Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), a religious group known for bloc-voting, formally announced its endorsement of the tandem of former senator Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, less than a week before the national elections.
The INC made the announcement on Tuesday, May 3 via Net25.
It has been long speculated that the religious sect will endorse the Marcos-Duterte tandem after the latter held their proclamation rally at the Philippine Arena, which is owned by INC.
INC also announced its Senate slate, which includes:
- Former PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar
- Actor Robin Padilla
- Former DPWH secretary Mark Villar
- Former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano
- Antique Rep. Loren Legarda
- Former senator JV Ejercito
- Sorsogon Gov. Chiz Escudero
- Former senator and plunder convict Jinggoy Estrada
- Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian
- Sen. Joel Villanueva
- Sen. Migz Zubiri
The INC has an estimated 3 million members in the Philippines and in over 150 countries and territories overseas.
It was founded by Felix Manalo who served as the first Executive Minister of INC.
The camp of Marcos, in a statement, extended its gratitude to the religious sector led by Manalo for the endorsement.
"Amin pong pakahahalagahan ang suportang inyong ibinigay katulad din sa suportang ipinamalas ng higit sa mayorya ng ating mga kapwa Pilipino," Atty. Vic Rodriguez said.
"Ang ganitong uri ng pagtitiwala ang siyang magiging gabay nila presidential frontrunner Bongbong Marcos at vice-presidential leader Inday Sara Duterte sa pamumuno ng ating bansa sakaling sila ay palarin at ihalal ninyo sa darating na eleksyon sa ika-9 ng Mayo," he added.
In the latest Pulse Asia survey result, Marcos and Duterte remained to be the top choices in the presidential and vice presidential posts.
