INC supports Tom, Labella

Iglesia also backs Garcia, Gullas, Luigi, Patalinjug 

CEBU, Philippines - The Iglesia ni Cristo in Cebu City has declared its support for Cebu City mayoral candidate Tomas Osmeña and vice mayoral candidate Edgardo Labella in the May 9 national and local elections.

This was disclosed by a minister of the INC, who requested anonymity, who said at least 5,000 of the 630,006 voting population of Cebu City are INC members.

The minister said the list of candidates that they endorsed was announced during their Mass yesterday.

Osmeña is with Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan while Labella is with Team Rama.

Sought for comment, Osmeña said he was happy and grateful for the endorsement. The INC also supported eight BOPK city councilors and two congressmen.

"I can assure my brothers in Iglesia Ni Cristo that they will get enough, even better treatment because they are a minority group and I always give a little more favor sa minority group," he said.

Aside from Osmeña, INC allegedly also voiced support for BOPK's reelectionist congressmen Raul del Mar (north district) and Rodrigo Abellanosa (south district) and councilorial candidates Margarita Osmeña, Eugenio Gabuya, Jr., Alvin Arcilla, Sisinio Andales, Alvin Dizon, and Mary Ann de los Santos. (INC also expressed support to Team Rama councilorial candidates Jose Daluz III, David Tumulak, James Anthony Cuenco, Eduardo Rama, Joel Garganera, Raymond Garcia, and Jaypee Labella.)

Osmeña said he asked members and officials of INC to campaign and get involved in the elections.

He said he was backed by INC in the 2013 elections, but he lost to Mayor Michael Rama, who got 217,448 votes compared to his 211,072 votes.

"Last time, they just supported me and they didn't really campaign for me. Now, they said they will campaign for me. All of a sudden, libo-libo na ang akong mga volunteers," he said, adding that black propaganda made by the other camp that he was dying also hurt his candidacy that time.

The difference for this year's election, Osmeña said, is that INC said it will be campaigning for him, unlike in 2013 when it only expressed support.

When asked how INC came up with the list, Osmeña said he was informed that it was based on a survey.

As to Labella's endorsement, Osmeña said he believed BOPK's Nestor Archival, Sr. was more qualified than incumbent vice mayor.

Labella, for his part, said he was "happy and elated that the INC has given me their trust and confidence to continue serving the people of Cebu."

He believed that the endorsement of INC will "significantly be of great help" to his candidacy and to the other Team Rama candidates.

"I thank them for that. I am happy that they reposed their trust and confidence in me," he added.

When asked to comment on the mix endorsement of INC, Labella said he respected the decision of INC.

Mayor Michael Rama was unavailable for comment as of press time.

Other areas                          

As to the province, the minister said the INC has endorsed Winston Garcia over incumbent Governor Hilario Davide III and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale over Garcia's runningmate Nerissa Soon Ruiz.

INC also pledged support for the following mayoral candidates: Eduardo Gullas (Talisay City), Luigi Quisumbing (Mandaue City) and Rolando Patalinjug (Lapu-Lapu City).

For district representatives, INC endorsed Cebu first district Congressman Samsam Gullas, Cebu second district Representative Wilfredo Caminero, Cebu third district Representative Gwendolyn Garcia, Cebu sixth district Representative Jonas Cortes, and Aileen Radaza.

In separate interview, Garcia said an INC official informed him Tuesday about their decision to support his gubernatorial bid against Davide.

He said INC had a change of heart after learning of his programs and visions for Cebu. INC has been supporting Davide in two previous elections, in 2003 when he ran for Cebu City councilor, and in 2013 when he ended the 18-year rule of the Garcia clan at the Capitol.

Garcia believed that INC's support would be a "significant vote" leading to his victory. "Thank you INC for supporting my leadership," he said.

 Magpale, for her part, said she knew about the endorsement Wednesday after an official of INC called her up and informed her.

"I am grateful and happy because they will add to my votes," she said, adding that INC members have been her supporters since 1992.

Sought for his comment, Davide said he respected the decision of INC, saying "If it's true, I have no problem if they are endorsing my adversary." He said he has been grateful for INC's support for him in previous elections.

"Mapasalamaton gihapon ko sa ilang supporta nako. I respect INC," he said.

Magpale, on the other hand, said INC's decision to drop Davide over Garcia "would not really affect that big" the incumbent governor's chances because "majority of the voters are his". —  /RHM (FREEMAN)