Thursday, May 06, 2004
El Shaddai endorsing Arroyo’s bid, says aide (10:30 a.m.)
ADMINISTRATION presidential candidate Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo may get the “blessings” in the form of an endorsement of religious group El Shaddai, said her campaign spokesman Michael Defensor.
Defensor said Wednesday that El Shaddai charismatic leader Bro. Mike Velarde invited Arroyo to the religious group’s regular prayer rally at Amvel Park in Ninoy Aquino Ave., Parañaque City at 7 p.m. Thursday. He said Velarde will make a formal endorsement of Arroyo’s candidacy during the rally.
Defensor added it is only Arroyo who has been invited to the El Shaddai prayer rally tonight.
“The President was invited to that gathering by Bro. Mike Velarde and we expect him to pronounce the words of support for El Shaddai to her,” Defensor said.
The El Shaddai endorsement follows reports saying the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), which votes as a block and is believed to deliver two million votes, is backing the candidacies of Arroyo and her running mate Noli de Castro.
Six senatorial candidates of the administration K4 party, along with other six candidates from the opposition, also appeared in INC sample ballots. (Mae Catherine Melchor) |
