REELECTIONIST Governor Dennis Pineda has secured the endorsement of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), which is known to do bloc voting for qualified candidates.
The religious group also endorsed several members of the Kambilan Party, including re-electionist Vice Governor Lilia Pineda.
The INC endorsement is seen as a further boost to the gubernatorial bid of Pineda, who is seen as a frontrunner by several recent surveys.
Pineda had thanked the INC leadership, through Executive Minister Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo, for its support.
“Ako po at ang aking pamilya ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa mga kapatid at sa Pamamahala ng Iglesia ni Cristo sa kanilang patuloy na pagtitiwala sa amin bilang ama ng Lalawigan ng Pampanga,” Pineda said in his social media posts.
The governor said he will reciprocate with good governance the trust and confidence that was accorded to him by INC.
Pineda is leading the gubernatorial race in Pampanga by 74.9 percent, while his lone rival, Danilo Baylon, trailed at 17.1 percent, according to a public opinion survey conducted by Probe Data Processing and Research Services.
A separate survey conducted by Argus Polls Inc. showed Pineda to be the preferred candidate by 78 percent or 19,705 of 25,206 voters polled last March. Only 5,502 voters or 22 percent chose Baylon.
The satisfaction rate he garnered reached 88.1 percent, as polled by Probe.
Pineda has campaigned on the strength of his administration’s accomplishments since serving his first term in 2019 following a landslide win.
Pineda’s campaign sorties and motorcades have also figured large crowds of supporters.
Pineda’s motorcades have reached 19 towns and two cities.
Pineda had also generated the support of sectors including farmers, workers, transport and health professionals.