Endorsements: ‘Tell me who your friends are…’

IMAGE: Daniella Agacer

MANILA, Philippines – Is there a way to peer into the character of candidates by looking closely at the people or groups endorsing them, much like what is advised by the saying “Tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are?”

While endorsements had played focal roles in boosting images of support for the endorsed, these could also be essential tools for Filipino voters to discern who to vote for come May 9.

Since Feb. 8, the start of the 90-day campaign period for national candidates set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), there’s been a steady flow of endorsements for presidential candidates.

The most recent included an endorsement, made on Feb. 15, of Leni Robredo as candidate for president by the leadership of Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas, a Roman Catholic lay council, which had been described as a rare move.

READ: Catholic lay council endorses Robredo as president in ‘unprecedented’ move

On Feb. 14, one of the most prominent political figures in the Philippines, Juan Ponce Enrile, former senator and defense chief, endorsed Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for president.

On Feb. 8, leaders of the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte National Executive Coordinating Council, which has been supportive of Duterte since 2015, endorsed Isko Moreno for president.

READ: Duterte supporters now backing Isko Moreno candidacy

While the value of endorsements in generating votes has yet to be measured, these could actually help voters decide, according to Maria Ela Atienza, political science professor of the University of the Philippines Diliman.

She said as most candidates think in “practical terms,” they seek endorsements from coalitions and personalities that they think will improve their chances of winning in the elections.

GRAPHICS: Ed Lustan

One can even say that endorsements reflect a broad range of interests, said Atienza, who added that endorsements could actually sway votes.

She told INQUIRER.net, however, that “more discerning voters” would also link the perceived values and characters of endorsers with those of the candidates they are endorsing.

“Endorsements also reflect perceived values and preferences of candidates, which may be taken positively or negatively by voters depending on how they perceive the endorsers,” she said.

On Feb. 1 Apollo Quiboloy, the controversial leader of the group Kingdom of Jesus Christ, endorsed Marcos Jr., saying that the Bongbong-Sara “UniTeam” will “score a landslide victory in the coming elections.”

READ: Quiboloy endorses Bongbong Marcos – Sara Duterte tandem

It was important to note, however, that Quiboloy has also proclaimed himself to be the “Appointed Son of God” in statements that appear to run counter to the Catholic belief that Jesus was the son sent by God to the world to offer redemption and forgiveness.

Quiboloy had also claimed to have the power to stop earthquakes for which no proof has been offered.

There was no stopping a legal earthquake for Quiboloy in the United States, though.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation, on Feb. 5, released wanted posters against Quiboloy and two more Kingdom of Jesus Christ officials for sex trafficking cases and bulk cash smuggling allegedly committed in the United States.

Quiboloy, who is also the spiritual adviser of President Rodrigo Duterte, branded the allegations against him as lies instigated by the “Devil” and said he is the “modern-day Joseph.”

When are endorsements good?

For Atienza, endorsements from highly influential and traditional interest coalitions—like business and religious groups—are good for candidates, especially if the endorser or endorsers can really deliver votes.

“However, if these coalitions do not practice command or bloc voting and leaders are not very influential in society, the needed votes may not be delivered on election day,” she said.

On Feb. 12, Bro. Mike Velarde, leader of El Shaddai, a charismatic group which is perceived to vote as a bloc, endorsed Marcos Jr.: “We are one in mind and heart when it comes to voting. That’s for sure,” Velarde said of El Shaddai, which could be considered as a spin-off Catholic group.

READ: El Shaddai endorses Bongbong Marcos-Sara Duterte tandem

The website catholicsandcultures.org said El Shaddai claims nine million members in the Philippines––more than 10 percent of the Roman Catholic population in what was said to be Asia’s Roman Catholic stronghold.

Velarde, who backed Marcos Jr.’s vice presidential bid in 2016, struck a pose for a photo raising the hands of Marcos Jr. and his running mate, Sara Duterte, the President’s daughter.

But Bishop Teodoro Bacani, spiritual adviser of El Shaddai, said Velarde’s endorsement was personal and not by El Shaddai as a group. Bacani said Velarde’s endorsement was “completely wrong.”

READ: Velarde endorsing Marcos Jr. ‘personal,’ not from whole El Shaddai–Bacani

On Jan. 28, the progressive Makabayan coalition endorsed Robredo, saying that it was “based on a unified position” on issues, especially regarding COVID-19 response, people’s rights, sovereignty and genuine peace.

READ: Neri, Makabayan end speculations, endorse Robredo, Pangilinan for 2022 polls

Former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, who is also running for senator, said on Feb. 13 that the Makabayan commits its entire membership to deliver a win for Robredo and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, Robredo’s running mate.

The group Center for People Empowerment in Governance said Makabayan’s backing of Robredo and Pangilinan “introduces a new dimension of campaign dynamics.”

It said Makabayan has a “hardcore electoral base” of three million votes as shown by its average electoral base in the House of Representatives for the past elections––2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019.

“A more expansive electoral base for Makabayan reaches close to six million votes average nationwide if the results for Senate elections for Makabayan bets are considered, also since the 2010 elections,” it said.

On Feb. 8, Marcos Jr. and Sara were at the Iglesia Ni Cristo-owned Philippine Arena, but Marcos Jr.’s camp said there was still no endorsement from the highly-influential religious group which is also believed to require its members to vote as a bloc.

The Iglesia Ni Cristo, which is led by Eduardo Manalo, endorsed Marcos Jr. for vice president and Rodrigo Duterte for president in 2016. It endorsed the late President Benigno Aquino III and former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas in 2010.

‘Grassroots now involved’

Atienza said it was important that in the 2022 elections, there are already endorsements from people’s coalitions for some presidential and vice presidential candidates.

She told INQUIRER.net that the presence of people’s councils possibly reflects the growing involvement of more grassroots-based groups in the elections.

A closer look revealed that Robredo has the most endorsements from grassroots-based coalitions––fishermen, civic leaders, workers, religious men and women, farmers, and activists.

On Jan. 30, the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalaya (Pamalakaya) endorsed Robredo, saying she will fight for Filipino fishermen’s demands to assert sovereignty and protect Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea.

Robredo also received an endorsement from 587 religious men and women who said that a leader should be known for moral integrity that is tied with a life of civility, right conduct, virtue and fear of God.

On Sept. 9, Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III were endorsed by the We Need A Leader, a civic council which fights for good and honest leadership.

Also, farmers, especially in Benguet, endorsed Lacson on Jan. 15, saying that Lacson and Sotto extended help when they needed individuals to defend their livelihoods.

Who’s who?

As seen in past elections, local government officials, especially those from known political clans, have always been engaged in the campaign of candidates, especially those running for president and vice president.

The Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya, the local opposition group in Cebu, endorsed Marcos Jr. on Jan. 25, with its leader, Danao City Mayor Nito Durano, saying that his “friendship with the Marcoses is beyond politics.”

Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla likewise promised to deliver 800,000 votes for Marcos Jr., saying that Marcos Jr. “is the most coherent, objective, and committed candidate we have.”

Narvacan, Ilocos Sur local executive Luis “Chavit” Singson, who was always seen with Sen. Manny Pacquiao in his boxing fights, endorsed Marcos Jr. He said it was because they were both Ilocanos.

On Jan. 17, Marcos Jr.’s camp released a statement with Singson, president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, saying that 11 local executives from Robredo’s home province, Camarines Sur, will back Marcos Jr.

Three local executives cited by the Marcos Jr. camp—Pamplona’s Ronald Franco, Milaor’s Anthony Reyes, and Sipocot’s Tomas Bocago––have since denied endorsing Marcos Jr. who attended a meeting of the Mayor’s League-Camarines Sur Chapter.

In Camarines Sur, Robredo was endorsed by third district Rep. Gabriel Bordado and Noel De Luna who are both running for seats in the House of Representatives. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda also endorsed Robredo.

Robredo, since last year, was already endorsed by some local government officials––Palawan Rep. Cyrille Abueg-Zaldivar and Frederick “Erick” Abueg, Iloilo City’s Jerry Treñas and Cagayan de Oro City’s Oscar Moreno.

On Feb. 8, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, who heads One Batangas, endorsed Moreno saying it was because, more than friendships and relationships, he believed in Moreno’s “platforms, not drama, track record, not promises.”

Moreno was also endorsed by Cebu Rep. Pablo John Garcia, secretary general of One Cebu. He said he firmly believed that Moreno can replicate what he did in Manila throughout the Philippines.

In Maguindanao, the Mangudadatu clan also said they will support Moreno as Maguindanao Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu, a member of the PDP-Laban, took oath as a new member of Aksyon Demokratiko.

On Oct. 6, Baguio City local executive Benjamin Magalong endorsed Lacson, saying that his integrity and character will help elevate the Philippines to greater heights. He said Lacson has the experience.

Pacquiao, last year, received endorsement from local officials and candidates as he was declared the “honorary chairperson” of the Progressive Movement for the Devolution of Initiatives (PROMDI).

PROMDI was founded by the late Cebu Gov. Emilio Mario “Lito” Osmeña. Pacquiao took his oath as the newest member of PROMDI, which was reactivated as Abag-Promdi, on Sept. 26, 2021.

Atienza, however, stressed that endorsements from traditional politicians may change in the course of the campaign. She said this was based on how they behaved in previous elections.

“In the absence of laws banning turncoatism, it is normal for traditional politicians to change endorsements depending on who they think is the stronger candidate,” she said.

In the latest poll conducted by Pulse Asia last Jan. 19 to 24, Marcos Jr. still has the lead with 60 percent. Next to him are Robredo (16 percent), Pacquiao (eight percent), Moreno (eight percent), and Lacson (four percent).

For Moreno, the “best endorsement” that he wants to receive is the one from the Filipino people: “I am not bothered. What’s important is we feel [the support] of the people, the silent majority, we are already happy with that.”

READ: Isko Moreno says most important endorsement will come from ordinary Filipinos

Last year, Lacson said while endorsements are welcome, they are “not actively seeking it.” He said, “We have our public service record. An endorsement is a bonus but we’d rather stand on our own two feet.”

READ: Duterte endorsement is ‘gold,’ but Lacson-Sotto tandem won’t rely on it

Diverse endorsements

Here’s a list of some of the endorsements received by the candidates seeking to replace President Duterte—from grassroots-based coalitions, religious councils, local officials and several individuals:

• Panfilo Lacson

We Need A Leader, coalition of civic leaders
Hi-Land Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative, farmer’s cooperative in Benguet
Vic Sotto, TV personality, producer
Benjamin Magalong, Baguio City mayor

• Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Apollo Quiboloy, Kingdom of Jesus Christ
Bro. Mike Velarde, El Shadda
Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya, opposition coalition in Cebu
Jonvic Remulla, Cavite governor
Rex Gatchalian, Valenzuela City mayor
Dy, Albano families of Isabela
Luis “Chavit” Singson, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur mayor
Alyansang Guico Lambino, a coalition of local officials in Pangasinan
Juan Ponce Enrile, late dictator’s former defense minister
Manuel Mamba, Cagayan governor
Ramil Hernandez, Laguna governor
Casimiro Ynares III, Rizal governor
Hermilando Mandanas, Batangas governor
Danilo Suarez, Quezon governor
Local officials of Southern Leyte

• Isko Moreno

Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte National Executive Coordinating Council
Ralph Recto, Senate President Pro Tempore and One Batangas leader
Pablo John Garcia: Cebu 3rd District representative and secretary-general of One Cebu
Isko Moreno for President Movement (formerly MP nation)

• Manny Pacquiao

PROMDI officials
PROMDI local candidates

• Leni Robredo

Five national artists of the Philippines
Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas, Roman Catholic lay council
1Sambayan, opposition coalition
Makabayan, progressive coalition
Pinunong Pinay Power, local women officials
PHILRECA Partylist, representative of 121 electric cooperatives
23 officials from Fidel Ramos’ administration
95 top government officials, mostly from Benigno Aquino III’s administration
Pari Madre Misyonero Para kay Leni, religious men and women in the Philippines
Pamalakaya, fishermen’s group
Joey Salceda, Albay representative
Gabriel Bordado, Camarines Sur representative
Noel de Luna, candidate for Camarines Sur representative
Sol Aragones, candidate for Laguna governor
Cyrille Abueg-Zaldivar, Palawan representative
Frederick “Erick” Abueg
Jerry Treñas, Iloilo City mayor
Oscar Moreno, Cagayan de Oro City mayor

TSB