Poe says she will respect INC, El Shaddai decisions on endorsements

Sen. Grace Poe. throws a giveaway to her supporters in Tarlac City. 

TARLAC CITY, Philippines—Presidential aspirant Senator Grace Poe said she would be sad but remain thankful to the influential religious sect, Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), if she would not get its endorsement in the May 9 national elections.

Poe made this statement when asked during an interview here on Monday how she would react to reports that the INC has already endorsed the leading presidential candidate in surveys, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

“Siyempre, malungkot dahil kailangan natin ng tulong ng ano mang grupo pero igagalang natin ‘yon kasi hindi naman tayong pwedeng manumbat o magdesisyon ukol diyan. Lahat naman kaming mga kandidato ay sumusubok lamang kung sakali,” she said.

(Of course, I would be sad because I would need the help of any group but I would respect its decision because I couldn’t preach and decide on that matter. All of us candidates are just trying our luck.)

The INC, however, immediately released a statement, denying that it has already endorsed Duterte.

READ: Iglesia ni Cristo denies endorsement, vows to charge forger

Unlike other candidates, Poe also noted that she has no “backer,” an apparent reference to President Benigno Aquino III, who met with INC Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo this Monday morning and made “usual appeals and political appeals.”

Aquino is campaigning for administration bet, former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.

“Wala naman akong backer kasi na katulad niya. Para sa akin, sarili ko lang naman ‘yung dinadala ko doon para ihain ang aking plataporma,” said Poe.

(I don’t have a backer unlike other candidates. For me, I am just presenting myself and my platforms there.)

Nevertheless, she said, she remained thankful for the kindness, respect and warm welcome that she got when she met with the INC leaders in her two separate visits in the past weeks.

“Naging napakamabait, magalang, at warm ang pagtanggap. At kahit ‘yon na lamang, ako’y nagpapasalamat, siyempre, sa kanilang kapatiran at samahan,” the senator said.

(Their welcome was full of kindness, respect and warm. And even with that, I am thankful, of course, to their brethren and religious sect.)

READ: Poe, Escudero meet with Iglesia ni Cristo

Like the INC, Poe said she would also respect whatever decision that Bro. Mike Velarde’s El Shaddai would make in the coming days.

‘Nung nag-usap kami ni Bro. Mike, hindi pa sila nagdedesisyon. Pero ako naman, kung ano pa man ang magiging desisyon ng maski na anong organisasyon, siyempre, prerogatiba nila ‘yon at ginagalang natin. Tayo lang nga ang nagco-courtesy at humihingi ng tulong. So nasa kamay nila ‘yon at sila lang ang pwedeng magsabi,” she said. RAM

(When Bro. Mike and I spoke, they have yet to come up with a decision. But for me, I would respect the decision of any organization because it’s their prerogative. We, candidates, are just paying courtesy calls on them to ask for their support. So, the decision is in their hands.)