WATCH: JV Ejercito thanks Iglesia ni Cristo for endorsing his Senate bid
Former Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito
MANILA, Philippines — Former senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito thanked the leadership and members of the influential religious group Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) for endorsing his Senate bid.
“Nais ko pong magpasalamat kina Ka Eduardo Manalo at sa buong kapatiran ng Iglesia ni Kristo sa inyong pagsuporta at pag-endorso sa akin. Malaking bagay ito dahil mahirap itong kampanya na pinagdaanan ko. Masaya ako na hindi ako iniwan ng Iglesia ni Cristo sa labang ito,” he said in a statement.
The church’s support for Ejercito, as well as its official endorsements for president, vice president, and the 11 other seats up for grabs in this year’s senatorial race, was announced last night on the INC-owned television network Net 25.
The INC expressed its support for presidential frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and leading vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Aside from Ejercito, the church also included Jejomar Binay, Alan Peter Cayetano, Guillermo Eleazar, Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Sherwin Gatchalian, Loren Legarda, Robin Padilla, Joel Villanueva, Mark Villar, and Juan Miguel Zubiri in their “unity vote” senatorial lineup.
Known for the deep solidarity of its leadership and 3 million members when voting, the INC is enthusiastically courted by both national and local candidates.
The former Senator said he considers the INC an important partner in helping the country emerge from the effects of the pandemic and other crises.
“Hindi ako natatakot sa mga haharapin nating mga hamon pagkatapos ng Mayo sapagkat alam kong katuwang ko ang iba’t ibang mga sektor, kasama na ang Iglesia ni Cristo, sa pagharap at pagtugon sa mga ito,” Ejercito said.
“Lagi’t lagi, ako’y mananatiling tapat sa inyo bilang inyong kaibigan at kasama sa pananampalataya at paglilingkod,” he added.
Ejercito said he credits the recent outpour of support for his campaign to the fact that more people are now aware of his contributions to improving healthcare and housing in the country.
“Ikinatutuwa ko rin na dumarami na ang nakakaalam sa aking mga nagawa noong unang termino ko sa Senado. Dumarami na rin ang nakakaramdam sa mga benepisyo ng ating mga landmark na batas, katulad ng Universal Healthcare Law at Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Law,” he said.
