Gatchalian: INC endorsement key factor in Senate race

Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian. Noy Morcoso / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – As the midterm elections approach, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday said that the endorsement of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) is a most welcome boost to Senate candidates.

“As of this point, I think the most crucial boost that can happen would be the INC endorsement,” Gatchalian said during the Meet Inquirer forum.

“It’s very difficult to go around the country as of this point… So your hope is to get into that list of INC [endorsees],” he added.

Gatchalian pointed out that based on projections, the INC could pull in as much as three to four million votes to national candidates that group will support.

Citing his own race for a Senate seat in 2016, Gatchalian said he made it to the winners’ circle (10^th) due to the support of many groups, including the INC.

“You tend to analyze which group carries a lot of persuasion in their constituents. And in my analysis, INC is the only group to pull in close to 100 percent of their constituents,” he said.

The senator also said that the support of the administration is also important and crucial in the electoral bid of candidates since it is very popular in Mindanao, which has about 30 percent of total registered voters in the country.

“The President and the administration carries a lot of persuasion in the island of Mindanao, so if you can be solid in Mindanao and Visayas also, that’s close to 40 to 45 percent of the votes so pupulot ka na lang ng kaunting support in Metro Manila to get in,” the senator said.

“That’s actually the formula. Again, the administration is very strong in Mindanao, to get their endorsement will solidify you in the island of Mindanao” he added./gsg