It's Duterte-Marcos for the Iglesia
Although, with all due respect, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte does not really need the Iglesia Ni Kristo bloc votes to clinch his virtual victory, such welcome development has practically sealed the overwhelming success of the rather belated Duterte campaign. It is just an icing in Digong's victory cake. Every presidentiable was practically begging for the Iglesia support. Vice President Binay was praying for it. The white-clad Grace Poe was pleading for it. Secretary Mar Roxas, aided by President PNoy was practically kneeling before Ka Eduardo Manalo, Executive Minister of the INC. But they all failed. The INC is always a "segurista," some call it "opportunista." It endorses only the virtual winners.
The reason why we say that Duterte does not need the INC in the same intensity that the INC needs Duterte, is because Mayor Digong will most probably get between 70 to 80 percent votes of the entire Mindanao. Visayas will be split between Duterte and Mar Roxas. Remember that the Dutertes are from Cebu. He grew up in Leyte and lives in Davao. Duterte is also very strong in Metro Manila. The only weak areas of Digong are the southern Tagalog and central Luzon. But senator Bongbong will carry him in the solid north. The good thing is that the INC is very strong where Duterte is weak.
Why the INC is for Duterte? Well, as usual, based on empirical data and anecdotal evidence, the INC always anoints the presumptive winners. Even in the past, when they supported Joseph Erap Estrada, GMA and PNoy, this sect always conduct its own survey and would never go for a sure loser. But the reason why the INC is for Marcos is because of plain gratitude. It was President Ferdinand Marcos who awarded the vast land along the Commonwealth Avenue to the INC in the mid sixties. That is the site of what could be deemed an equivalent of the Catholic's Vatican or the Muslim's Mecca. The INC members are a grateful people. They are the best of friends, and the worst of enemies.
Yes, the INC can also be vindictive. Look, among the virtual winners for senators, they conspicuously excluded Secretary Leila de Lima. We must recall that the Iglesia leadership was very unhappy with the way the Department of Justice, under De Lima's watch, was handling the INC-Menorca case. If you look at the INC list for senators, they have chosen Tito Sotto and Win Gatchalian and excluded De Lima. Every lawyer would say that De Lima knows more about political law and legislation, compared to Gatchalian or to Eat Bulaga's mainstay. But one thing a politician should learn is never to step on the foot of the INC. You will surely reap what you have sown.
I know whereof I speak. All my brothers-in-law are members of the INC. I acted as wedding sponsor in the wedding of my wife's youngest brother. When my late father-in-law ran for councilor in one town in Nueva Ecija, his own five sons who were living with him in the same house, did not vote for him. Why? Because my Tatay was a Catholic and his name was not included in the INC list. Then, I jokingly told them to go and sleep in their chapel instead of their father's house. But that is precisely the amazing thing about the INC, the discipline that they are able to instill on their "kaanibs." Principles have nothing to do about it. It's all about expediency and political connections. But then, again, what matters most is that the INC support will be a big icing in the Duterte victory cake. The INC needs the support of the next president. That is all that is in it, nothing more, nothing less.
- Latest
