IMUS, Cavite, Philippines – A Christian bishop has heaped praises on independent presidential candidate and Senator Maria Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal, calling her an “honorable senator” and “a crusader,” just like Jesus Christ.

Bishop Arturo Ferriol of the two-million-plus strong Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (PMCC) lauded Madrigal, a guest of honor, during the religious group's prayer rally at Barangay Malagasang here, on Wednesday night.

During the gathering, both the bishop and his brother, PMCC leader Apostle Arsenio Ferriol, stopped short of declaring the congregation's support for the independent presidential candidate.

“We can relate to this honorable senator...Ating susuportahan siya sa panalangin at sa anumang paraan na kaya natin na masuportahan siya (Let’s support her with prayers and in whatever way we can),” Bishop Ferriol told the more than 6,000 PMCC followers who gathered for their annual Youth and Adults Summer Camp.

The bishop said, “Maging ano man ang resulta ng eleksyong ito, tayo ay magiging sa likuran niya (Whatever the election results will be, we will continue to stand behind her).”

Interviewed before the worship service, he cited Madrigal for her “crusade against graft and corruption” in government.

Bishop Ferriol described Madrigal as “sincere” and “principled.”

Apostle Arsenio Ferriol asked his flock to join him in praying for the senator.

“Tulungan mo ang aming mahal na senadora Jamby Madrigal na sa kaniyang pagpapahayag ng kaniyang mga paninindigan ay marinig siyang mainam ng mga tao (Help our beloved senator Jamby Madrigal get heard by the people when she communicates her stand on issues),” he said.

The PMCC head noted “Kami man ay gaya niya na nakikipaglaban sa iba't-ibang kaparaanan (Just like her, we fight for our causes in many ways).”

"Nagagalak kami sapagkat kami man at siya ay magkasama sa hangarin na ang ating bansa ay magkaroon ng pagbabago (We are glad that our Church and she are one in the goal of ushering change in our country),” Apostle Ferriol added.

His wife, Pastor Leticia, meanwhile, told Madrigal she would “pray that you win and I hope you win” the May presidential polls.

Founded in 1973, the PMCC has over 800 churches worldwide.

At the PMCC stadium, the senator asked her hosts to “decide who will be the next president of the Philippines with the love of God, with the light of God and by the power of prayers.”

Her brief talk about her platform was interrupted 11 times by the crowd's applause.

Madrigal later told the Philippine Daily Inquirer “it's so in bad taste to give a political speech during a prayer rally.”

“I was touched by their sincerity. You can feel their prayer was true. And I believe what they said. Prayers can move mountains more than money,” she said.

Madrigal said she could “not forget what Apostle Ferriol told me. He said, “manalo o matalo ako (win or lose), they will support me with all their heart. I'm grateful for that. I'm only going by what they said. I'm not the person to push for commitments. Whatever God wants will happen.”

“I don't like asking for endorsements from religious groups. With Pastor Apollo Quiboloy (leader of the 6 million-strong Kingdom of Jesus Christ), he gave me guidance. He also said wished that I win. That's enough.”

Madrigal said she would not want "horse-trading when it comes to politics, like Sen. Manny Villar (the Nacionalista Party standard-bearer) asking for the endorsement of Bro. Mike Velarde (of the El Shaddai Charismatic Ministry) and putting it in the papers.”

“Religious support should not be a business transaction. The commitment comes from God and the people,” she added.