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Friday, May 07, 2004
Iglesia backs Gloria, Noli
MANILA -- The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) officially endorsed the candidacies of President Arroyo and vice presidential contender Noli De Castro, which Malacaņang believes will help ensure the victory of the administration.
Arroyo, however, failed to get the endorsement of the Catholic-based charismatic movement El Shaddai during its prayer rally in Tarlac Thursday night.
Michael Defensor, presidential campaign spokesman, made the announcement after being given the go-signal by the INC leadership Thursday.
He said they already knew of the decision as early as last Saturday, after INC executive minister Eraņo Manalo called up the President to inform that she is their choice.
He added that Arroyo was ecstatic when she heard of the news.
According to Malacaņang, Arroyo got the endorsement after listening to Manalo's advise, like reaching out to her political foes, including deposed president Joseph Estrada.
Defensor said the two to four million votes from INC could be the swing vote for Arroyo to be a majority president in the next six years.
In the past elections, Defensor said INC support ensured victory.
De Castro, who went to the INC main office in Quezon City Friday, also announced Thursday that he got the support of the religious group, which can bring in three million to four million votes.
Defensor said the INC bloc vote would help boost Arroyo's campaign for the presidency as it guarantees the votes of their members and usually the family of their members and even that of the other people that "they could influence."
He added that the opposition would need a miracle to win over Arroyo.
He said Arroyo and De Castro's names would appear in the sample ballot that the INC will be distributing to its members soon.
Senate bets
Defensor, however, said they are still waiting for word on the senatoriables.
He said Arroyo's regular consultations with the INC, her openness and compliance to advice must have helped in winning the support of the religious group; dismissing notions that the INC has made a special request on the treatment of former president Joseph Estrada in exchange for the support.
Defensor also expressed confidence that they will also get the support of the El Shaddai, which held a rally Thursday night in Tarlac, which Arroyo also attended.
Freedom of choice
Mel Robles, El Shaddai spokesman, said they did not give Arroyo its endorsement because they are giving their followers the chance to choose their candidates.
According to Robles Arroyo had a 30-minute closed-door meeting with spiritual leader Mike Velarde to explain her position on four major issues of concern.
El Shaddai agreed with Arroyo's stand on population control, fighting corruption, charter change through a constitutional convention, and the pursuit policy that allows its followers to choose their candidates.
After the talk, Brother Mike gave President Arroyo the El Shaddai Shepherd's blessings. JMR of Sunnex Luzon
(May 7, 2004 issue)
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