Religious groups infiltrate Congress via party-list

MANILA Philippines — Religious groups that wield tremendous political sway with their bloc-voting members are moving to further widen their influence in Congress through the party-list system.

Based on the sample ballots distributed by the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo has asked his flock to vote for ACT-CIS (Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support) based in the Quezon City area and 1-SAGIP (Social Amelioration & Genuine Intervention on Poverty) in Las Piñas. This is on top of its electoral wing, the Alagad party-list, represented by Rodante Marcoleta, an INC member. It could not be verified if there were other party-list groups endorsed by INC in its sample ballots distributed in other districts.

Pastor Apollo Quiboloy of the Davao-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name, endorsed three party-list groups: ACT-CIS, 1-BAP (1 Banat & Ahapo coalition), and OFW Family Club Inc.

Although religious groups are banned from joining party-list organizations, their affiliates are propped up as separate advocacy groups apparently to skirt the rules and penetrate Congress such as the incumbent Buhay Hayaan Yumabong (backed up by Bro. Mike Velarde of El Shaddai group) and Cibac or Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption (linked to Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Jesus is Lord Movement). A new party-list group, Ang ProLife, is reportedly backed by the Catholic Church.

Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan said that the Catholic Church and other religious groups have exploited the party-list system to infiltrate Congress. She said the Comelec should clamp down on this practice to prevent the blurring of the line between religion and politics in Congress.

There are 111 party-list groups vying for the mandated 58 seats up for grabs in Congress. To get a single seat in Congress, a party-list group should get at least two percent of the total votes cast for all party-list groups. A group can get up to three seats in Congress depending on how many could get the minimum 2 percent vote and the total votes obtained. Pundits say that only the topnotcher would likely get three seats and at least 200,000 votes would be needed to get one seat. /INQUIRER