MANILA -- Popular television host and actress Kris Aquino-Yap thanked the influential Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) for its endorsement on her elder brother Liberal Party standard bearer Senator Noynoy Aquino.
“On behalf of our family - thank you to INC Executive Minister, Ka Eduardo Manalo and lahat ng kapatid namin sa Iglesia ni Cristo for choosing to support Noy and Mar. We are so grateful for this inspiring blessing. Headed now to Nueva Ecija and Pampanga,” Kris said on her Twitter account.
Aquino's running mate, Senator Mar Roxas said they expressed elation over the new endorsement while admitting that he has known the decision of the group days before the official announcement Wednesday.
“Of course we are very happy and thankful of the endorsement. I learned early this morning that Iglesia endorsed Noynoy and Mar. We thank the leadership of Iglesia, especially to Ka Eduardo (Manalo) who gave his trust to me and Noynoy,” he said in a television interview.
Roxas, who was also backed by the INC when he first ran for senator in 2004, said the endorsement of the INC would be pivotal to their election bid.
“It is a big deal for us. The endorsement would cement the victory of Senator Noynoy and Senator Mar because the Iglesia ni Cristo is one of the most respected organizations in the country, and they are recognized and revered by our countrymen. It is really a big help to our campaign and we are very thankful to this. We will make sure that we will not break the trust given to us, just like the promise we gave to people who supported the Noynoy-Mar tandem,” he added.
Political analyst Ramon Casiple of the Institute for Political and Economic Reform (Iper) said Aquino is now poised to replace President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in a month’s time.
“They (Aquino and Roxas) are already on top of the surveys. The INC endorsement cements their lead,” he told Sun.Star.
The INC, then led by the late Erano Manalo, backed the presidential run of former President Joseph Estrada in 1998 and Arroyo in 2004. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)
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