The Philippine Online Chronicles

Religious group Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), sought and known for its block voting, has officially endorsed the tandem of Liberal Party bets Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas for president and vice president, respectively. INC leader Ka Eduardo Manalo made the announcement through "sample ballots" distributed at the workship service Wednesday at Iglesia’s main cathedral in Quezon City.

According to an ABS-CBN report, Manalo also told its members to vote for senatorial candidates Muntinlupa Rep. Rozzano "Ruffy" Biazon, Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., Sen. Pia Cayetano, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, former Sen. Franklin Drilon, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, Sen. Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto "TG" Guingona III, Sen. Manuel "Lito" Lapid, Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., former Sen. Ralph Recto, former Sen. Vicente "Tito" Sotto III.

For partylist, it chose urban poor-oriented Alagad, Philstar reported.

INC membership is said to be between 3 to 10 million worldwide and based on its doctrines, a member of their church is expected to abide by the decision of the majority. “It says that every believer should be one with the church, and that includes political decisions.”

In 2007 it endorsed six senatorial candidates from the administration’s Team Unity and five from the Genuine Opposition. For presidential candidates it previously endorsed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Joseph Estrada, and Ferdinand Marcos, who all won. In 1992 it threw its support behind Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) candidate Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco, who lost to Fidel V. Ramos.