INC non-committal on reported Duterte-Marcos endorsement

MANILA, Philippines — The influential Iglesia ni Cristo was non-committal on Thursday morning despite reports that the church has already endorsed Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the May 9 elections.

In a text message to Philstar.com, Iglesia ni Cristo spokesperson Ka Edwil Zabala declined to confirm that members had already been told in worship services that the church has picked candidates it will support.

"Wala pa rin naman na nababago sa sinabi ko sa mga taga-press/media na nagtanong. Kapag nasabi na namin sa mga kapatid namin sa Iglesia kung sino ang napagakaisahang iboto ng INC ay malalaman din ninyo," he said.

Zabala sent a similar reply Wednesday when asked about the supposed endorsement and about reports that a sample ballot including the names of Duterte and Marcos had been distributed to members of the church. Duterte is running for president under PDP-Laban while Marcos, a member of the Nacionalista Party, is running for vice president.

According to a newspaper report, the announcement of the endorsement was made in a circular read at a worship service on Wednesday night by executive minister Eduardo Manalo.

Asked about reports that he has been endorsed by the native church, Duterte said he is not privy to the information.

"'Di ko po talaga alam," Duterte said at a roundtable discussion with STAR editors. — with reports by Rosette Adel and Jonathan de Santos