Duterte, Go visit head of Iglesia Ni Cristo

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte receives a warm welcome from Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) leader Eduardo Manalo during the President’s visit at the INC Central Temple in Commonwealth, Quezon City on December 14, 2018. Joining the President is former Secretary Christopher Lawrence Go. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte and former Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go visited the bloc-voting religious group Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) last week.

Photos released by Malacañang on Wednesday showed Duterte and Go posing with INC leader Eduardo Manalo at the INC Central Temple in Commonwealth, Quezon City on December 14.

In a text message, Go said he and the President went there to greet the religious leader a belated happy birthday.

“[We went there] to greet Ka Eduardo a belated happy birthday,” Go said, adding that the visit lasted for around 30 minutes.

Manalo, a special envoy for overseas Filipino workers’ concern, celebrated his 63rd birthday last October 31.

The INC backed Duterte’s candidacy in the 2016 presidential election. Go is running as senator in the 2019 midterm polls. /ee