Iglesia ni Cristo formally backs Marcos-Duterte tandem for the 2022 national elections
Religious group Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) has announced its endorsement of the tandem of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte-Carpio in the coming 2022 national elections.
Six days before the May 9 elections, the religious group shared that after "pagsususing pag-aaral at pagsasaliksik" (research and study) they chose Marcos Jr. and Duterte.
They made the announcement during the May 3 broadcast of their network, Net 25.
"Ako pa at ang aking pamilya, sa pulong ng buong alyansang na nakapaloob ng Uniteam ay labis na nagagalak at buong pusong nagpapasalamat sa suporta na inihayag ng Iglesia ni Cristo," Marcos said in the same broadcast.
Along with the president and vice president bets, they also announced their senatorial lineup including Jejomar "Jojo" Binay Jr., Alan Peter Cayetano, JV Ejercito, Guillermo Eleazar, Francis "Chiz" Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, Loren Legarda, Robin Padilla, Sen. Joel Villanueva, Mark Villar, and Sen. Migz Zubiri.
The group follows a bloc-voting protocol, meaning that all members of their organization must vote for the chosen candidates of their leaders.
INC backed the Rodrigo Duterte and Marcos Jr. tandem back in 2016. In 2010, they endorsed Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Mar Roxas. INC's endorsed presidents won in both elections, while the VP picks lost.
The group has an estimated 3 million members around the country and overseas.