North Cotabato bets troop to INC for endorsement

The headquarters of the powerful Iglesia ni Cristo on Commonwealth Avenue in Diliman, Quezon City.

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato — Local candidates from all over North Cotabato trooped to the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) compound here hoping for its support in the May 9 elections.

The front of the INC’s house of worship virtually turned into a parking lot for vehicles owned by the local politicians who started to arrive as early as 6 a.m Thursday.

The situation slowed down traffic along the Cotabato-Kidapawan-Davao highway.

The local candidates came from the towns of Matalam, Makilala, Mlang, Tulunan, Magpet, Antipas, Arakan and President Roxas, and Kidapawan City.

Those who came included Mayor Joseph Evangelista of Kidapawan City, Vice Mayor Ginalyn Valdivieso-Catamco of Matalam town and Magpet Mayor Florenito Gonzaga.

Candidates for municipal councilors also lined up outside the INC compound as they waited for their turn to talk to the minister.

In Kidapawan City alone, there are at least 5,000 INC members.

Ruby Padilla-Sison, a reelectionist city councilor, said the solid vote of INC would be a big help for any candidate endorsed by the Christian sect.

“I hope that my respect for their faith and my performance to serve the people will be their bases for choosing me as one of their preferred candidates,” Sison said.  SFM/rga