INC sample ballot lists 8 Senate bets

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Philippines — The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) has picked only eight candidates among the 66 senatoriables whom they will vote for in the May 12 midterm elections.

In a sample ballot obtained by The STAR, the eight were Bam Aquino, Bong Revilla, Pia Cayetano, Ronald dela Rosa, Bong Go, Rodante Marcoleta, Imee Marcos and Camille Villar.

The sample ballots were released to INC officers after the Thursday night worship services.

The INC has been known for its bloc voting, usually completing a full slate of 12.

Sources said that this election is the first time the INC has fielded one of its members to run for senator.

Marcoleta, representative of SAGIP party-list, was allegedly allowed by the INC administration to run for senator to help “fix” the country’s pressing problems.

Of the eight chosen bets, four are from the administration slate: Revilla, Cayetano and Villar including Imee as adopted candidate; and three from the diverse opposition: Aquino, Dela Rosa and Go.

In response to the INC’s endorsement of his senatorial candidacy for the 2025 elections, Go expressed appreciation to the religious organization, emphasizing his long-standing ties with them and their shared mission of service to the Filipino people – especially the poor and marginalized.

In a statement, Go acknowledged the support of INC executive minister Eduardo Manalo and the entire INC brotherhood.

He described the endorsement as an honor rooted in mutual respect and a shared commitment to public service.

“With full respect and deep gratitude, I thank Bro. Eduardo Manalo, Bro. Angelo Eraño Manalo and the entire Iglesia ni Cristo brotherhood for endorsing my candidacy,” said Go in Filipino.

Go recalled the consistent support of the INC over the years for his various advocacies, particularly those focused on public welfare and social equity.

He noted that the group’s trust has always played a significant role in helping him fulfill his responsibilities as a public servant.

“Your continued help and support for my advocacies and the principles we fight for have always been an inspiration for me to serve our fellow Filipinos even more,” he said.

He affirmed that his decision to run for a fresh term in the Senate is driven by a sincere desire to continue pushing for legislative and institutional reforms that uplift the lives of ordinary Filipinos.

These include key policy areas such as health care access, job generation and food security – especially for the poor.

Go noted that the INC’s endorsement in 2025 reaffirms a relationship that dates back to his first senatorial run in 2019, when the religious group also supported his candidacy.

Meanwhile, former interior secretary Benhur Abalos welcomed the latest Social Weather Stations survey, which saw his rating climb from 17 percent in March to 24 percent in May.

Aside from the endorsement of former vice president Leni Robredo, Abalos was among the senatorial bets endorsed by celebrity Vice Ganda.

Vice Ganda took to social media to back Abalos, posting a photo with the caption, “Kesa naman yung mga walang kwenta ang pumasok sa Top 12. Dito na ‘ko.”

‘Strong’ Eastern Visayas support

Speaker Martin Romualdez reaffirmed on Thursday the strong support of over three million voters from Eastern Visayas for all senatorial candidates of the Marcos administration-backed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas.

“Region 8 is all-out support for the senatorial slate of Alyansa,” Romualdez told reporters in Tacloban City, following the unity rally – led by Tingog party-list and Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) – for President Marcos’ senatorial slate.

The Alyansa slate includes House Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo, Abalos, Villar, outgoing Makati Mayor Abby Binay, Senators Revilla, Cayetano, Francis Tolentino, Lito Lapid, former senators Ping Lacson and Manny Pacquiao and former Senate president Tito Sotto.

When asked about the number of voters in the region, Romualdez responded, “Over three million here.”

The Tacloban rally was attended by thousands of supporters, local officials and community leaders. Eastern Visayas, comprising six provinces, plays a crucial role in national elections due to its substantial voter base. — Bella Cariaso, Jose Rodel Clapano, Marc Jayson Cayabyab