Iglesia ni Kristo Endorsement for NOYMAR tandem is not a promise of BLOCK VOTE

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INC endorses Noynoy-Mar tandem

By Dennis Carcamo (philstar.com) Updated May 05, 2010 08:12 AM

MANILA, Philippines -- The influential religious congregation Iglesia Ni Cristo has announced early this morning that it is endorsing the presidential bid of Liberal Party standard bearer Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and his runningmate Sen. Mar Roxas.

A statement released by INC head Eduardo Manalo said they would be supporting the Aquino-Roxas tandem in the May 10 national and local elections.The announcement was made before the INC members during the religious services around 5:45 a.m. today.

The religious group, whose global membership runs up to millions, also came out with a list of senatorial candidates it would be endorsing among its members.

Included in the list are Rozzano "Ruffy" Biazon, Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., Pilar Juliana Cayetano, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Franklin Drilon, Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, Ralph Recto, Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, Manuel "Lito" Lapid, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., and TG Guingona.

Historically, the INC has been known to deliver substantial number of votes to candidates which the church leadership has endorsed. In the past, INC supported the candidacies of Presidents Ferdinand Marcos, Joseph Estrada and Gloria Arroyo. 

 My Opinion

This election everything will be different, I must say that INC will not be that effective in endorsing Noynoy, it will not be a block vote from their group; history will repeat it for the 2^nd Cojuanco. If you can still remember Danding Conjuanco was also endorsed by the group when it ran for the presidency but Ramos won instead. Compared to Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s group, Iglesia ni Cristo does not promise the so called block vote which the Noynoy-Mar tandem is expecting.

I have my friends online, they belong to INC but they are still going for GIBO. Well I cannot blame them for choosing him. Just one more thing, I am very thankful for I am Catholic, our church leaders gives us the freedom of choosing our own candidates, they aren’t dictating us.