GMA mourns with INC flock

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo joined Iglesia ni Cristo members yesterday in mourning the death of INC executive minister Eraño “Ka Erdy” Manalo, whom she described as someone who provided hope to all Filipinos.

Manalo, 84, died of cardio-pulmonary arrest last Monday.

In a statement read by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, the President paid tribute to Manalo and the followers of the INC, saying they served as an inspiration to the nation.

Ermita said the President is expected back in the country today after her two-day visit to Libya.

He said that the President would visit Manalo’s wake shortly after her arrival.

President Arroyo will also issue a proclamation honoring Manalo. Details were not yet available yesterday.

What was released yesterday was Proclamation No. 1869 declaring Sept. 12 as the national day of prayer for peace and sanctification of spiritual leaders.

It was on the same day last year that the national day of prayer was held for peace and reconciliation.

“There is a need to pray for grace for the sanctification of our spiritual leaders to enable them to inspire and set a compassionate and moral leadership amongst our people,” the proclamation stated.

“With the many challenges faced by our nation today, every Filipino needs to set aside differences and join hands to endeavor to work for the common good,” it added.

The President argued that a day devoted to prayer for peace, unity and sanctification of the country’s spiritual leaders could help in bringing these goals to fruition.

Meanwhile, former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. said he nurtured 49 years of friendship with Ka Erdy and deeply mourned his passing. 

“Ka Erdy has created a great remarkable institution, proof against his own mortality: he leaves behind a church that will endure,” De Venecia said.

He said Manalo cared for the Iglesia ni Cristo which his visionary father, Brother Felix Manalo, founded and made it a vehicle for transforming both spiritually and materially the lives of tens of millions of the Filipino poor.

Meanwhile, the Nationalist People’s Coalition also expressed its heartfelt condolences to Bro. Erdy’s family.

“We in the NPC deeply feel the loss and share the grief of all the members of the Iglesia ni Cristo as the nation mourns the passing of a great leader of one of the biggest religious groups in the country,” NPC spokesman Rex Gatchalian said.

Ka Erdy and NPC founder and chairman emeritus Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco are close friends and their friendship goes back a long way to when Ka Erdy was not yet the leader of the INC.

During the 1992 presidential elections, the INC threw its support behind Cojuangco’s candidacy.

Traffic advisory

The Quezon City Police District has released a traffic advisory for Commonwealth Avenue and nearby roads in connection with Ka Erdy’s wake.

QCPD director Chief Superintendent Elmo San Diego said the outer lanes of Commonwealth Avenue – both southbound and northbound – would serve as temporary parking area for people going to the INC Central Temple.

According to San Diego, the QCPD, under Superintendent Rudie Valoria, will implement the traffic advisory to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and minimize, if not avoid, inconvenience to mourners and the general public.

San Diego said that some 300 policemen have been deployed all over the perimeter of the INC Temple, which has already been visited by some 10,000 people since Tuesday afternoon after Manalo’s death was announced.

San Diego said that along Central Avenue, which is adjacent to Commonwealth Avenue, the lane coming from Visayas Avenue would be closed to traffic. The other lane will be open to one-way traffic.

“This arrangement will last until the burial of Brother Manalo next week,” San Diego said. With Delon Porcalla, Cesar Ramirez, Eva Visperas, Reinir Padua