VARIOUS religious groups made their last-minute endorsements Friday, just three days before Election Day on May 9.
The Catholic charismatic movement El Shaddai, which claims eight million members, endorsed United Nationalist Alliance standard bearer Vice President Jejomar Binay, its official radio station dwXI said Friday.
The radio station said an internal survey of members showed that support for Binay was almost unanimous, and that El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde supported the choice.
Binay expressed his gratitude.
“I am grateful and humbled by the endorsement of the members of El Shaddai and to Bro. Mike Velarde for giving me the opportunity to speak before his congregation,” Binay said.
The vice president was earlier endorsed by several pro-life groups and Catholic lay organizations.
Binay pledged to be a president who “recognizes, respects and follows the word of God.”
It would also be a presidency that “respects the dignity of women, will set a good example for our children, and gives dignity to the poor”—a clear reference to survey frontrunner Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
In an earlier statement, Binay spoke of a “serious challenge to our deeply held Christian values.”
“I speak of a choice between good and evil. I speak of a choice between those who advocate life and those who promote death,” he said.
“That is why I stand firm in my belief that violence as a platform of governance oppresses the poor, the dispossessed, and the powerless,” he said.
Also on Friday, television evangelist Pastor Apollo Quiboloy endorsed the senatorial candidacy of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.
Quiboloy, the founder of the religious group “Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name” with more than three million members, said the Senate needs a “compassionate leader” like Romualdez who can serve the electorate, especially the poorest of the poor.
“Congressman Martin has vision for the country and has a compassionate heart for the poor,” Quiboloy said.
“He was chosen not only because of his closeness with the kingdom ministry, but also because of his platforms and programs of government,” Quiboloy said.
Romualdez thanked Quiboloy and said he would honor the trust and confidence given to him by the group.
“This is another inspiring moment for my senatorial candidacy, another huge boost. I will not fail Pastor Quiboloy and his religious congregation and will show that I am worthy of their support,” Romualdez said.
Quiboloy’s endorsement is expected to boost the senatorial candidacy of Romualdez especially in Mindanao where the religious group has been concentrated.
Quiboloy has also endorsed the presidential bid of his friend, Duterte, who is also supporting the senatorial bid of Romualdez.
In the last 2013 senatorial election, Quiboloy endorsed eight of the 12 winning candidates: Senators Juan Edgardo Angara; Francis Escudero, Grace Poe, Loren Legarda, Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Cynthia Villar, JV Ejercito and Nancy Binay.
Duterte adopted Romualdez as one of his guest senatorial candidates because they shared similar platforms of government in ensuring peace and order, curbing graft and corruption, giving free college education, and improving health services through zero-billing for the indigents.
Romualdez has won the endorsement of 500 urban poor groups under the Sulong Mamayang Pilipino, the four major land transportation groups, the One Cebu party, and the Liga ng Barangay of Quezon City.
Romualdez has also been endorsed by the Buhay party-list, which won the support of the El Shaddai.
Re-electionist Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza said the God-fearing and clear platforms and programs of Romualdez for the poor convinced them to support his senatorial candidacy.
“Congressman Romualdez has a compassionate heart who will champion the interests of the common people. His sterling qualities as opposition leader are needed in the Senate,” Atienza said.
During last Saturday’s Thanksgiving Mass Celebration and Prayer Vigil Overnight at El Shaddai Shrine in Paranaque City, Romualdez delivered his “malasakit” (compassionate) message to more than 100,000 devotees of El Shaddai Movement.
Romualdez also thanked Velarde and Atienza for supporting his senatorial bid.
Atienza vowed to deliver significant votes from almost 2 million members of the Catholic charismatic group.
“The El Shaddai party-list Buhay will give huge votes for Congressman Romualdez to ensure his victory in the Senate,” Atienza said.
Vice presidential candidate, who won endorsements from two influential religious groups – the Iglesia ni Kristo and El Shaddai – told supporters Thursday night that he was ready for the vice presidency.
At his miting de avance in Mandaluyong City, Marcos said his victory was imminent because of the huge support given to him not only by the people who have embraced his advocacy for national unity, but also by major political parties like the National Unity Party, Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino and the INC and El Shaddai.
“At this moment, we already see our victory because we are united,” Marcos addressed the crowd.
Marcos said it’s unusual that the government, using its vast resources, has been seriously attempting to weaken his chances, although he is running just for the vice presidency and not the presidency.
Marcos said the administration could be behind the release of questionable survey results that showed his lead over administration candidate Leni Robredo narrowing.
He called on people to be vigilant and make a united stand against cheating in the elections.
Marcos also warned that he would ot accept any cheating that would frustrate the will of the people.
He also noted continuing reports that overseas voters were seeing discrepancies between their votes cast and what was reflected on the voter receipts.
“We were again informed of still another report of a similar problem and the candidate who suffered from the loss of vote is again from the opposition. We have not heard of any report of an administration candidate losing votes in this manner,” Marcos said.
The administration, Marcos added, was clearly benefiting from the discrepancies.