ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The bloc-voting religious sect Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) has endorsed the tandem of presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and vice presidential bet Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio for the 2022 national elections.
The INC made the announcement Tuesday, four days before the campaign period ends on May 7.
Speculations that the INC would endorse the Marcos and Duterte-Carpio started as early as February when the tandem held their proclamation rally at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, the largest indoor arena in the world.
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Philippine Arena is owned by the INC.
Back then, however, Marcos’ spokesperson Atty. Vic Rodriguez said that the Philippine Arena was “just a venue.”
“You’re reading too much between the lines. We have not said anything close to that. Ito ay venue lamang [This is only a venue],” Rodriguez told reporters.
“Kaya namin ito napili sapagkat ito ang pinakamalaki at maaaring mag-accommodate sa libu-libo naming mga supporters and followers,” he added.
(We chose this because this is the biggest and can accommodate thousands of our supporters.)
In 2016, the INC endorsed the presidential bid of then Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte and the vice-presidential bid of Marcos.