Poe ‘saddened’ but respects INC support for Duterte

Senator Grace Poe said she was saddened that she failed to get the endorsement of the influential religious sect, Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), but said she respects its decision.

“Plastik naman na hindi ko sabihing hindi ako nalungkot. Siyempre, kahit na anong suporta, lalong-lalo na ng isang grupong malaki ang impluwensiya, ay makakatulong,” Poe said in a press conference in Makati City on Thursday.

(I’d only be pretending if I say I’m not saddened by this. Of course, any support, especially from a very influential group, is very helpful.)

READ: Poe visits top INC minister

“Pero kami naman ang humihingi ng suporta e, so wala kaming karapatan na magdikta kung ano ang proseso nila. Basta iginagalang natin; prerogatiba nila ‘yan.

“Pero para sa ating mga kababayan, mas maganda na may kalayaan na isipin kung sino ang nararapat based sa iyong paniniwala, kung paano ang pinakamakatarungan at epektibong pagpapatakbo ng ating pamahalaan,” she said.

(But we were the ones who asked for support, so we don’t have the right to dictate their process. We respect their prerogative. However, it’s better that our countrymen are free to decide who’s deserving based on their beliefs, how they think is the most fair and effective way to run the government.)

Poe met the INC leaders at least twice in an attempt to get its support and endorsement.

But after meeting with all five presidential bets, the INC leadership decided to support the candidacy of survey front runner, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. JE/rga

READ: INC backs Duterte, Marcos

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