The endorsement of El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde of presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr was "personal," the spiritual adviser of the group said.
Retired Novaliches Bishop Teodoro Bacani Jr clarified this in a video message.
He said Velarde is the founder and servant leader of El Shaddai, but he is not the El Shaddai DWXI Prayer Partners Fellowship International Inc which is bigger.
Bacani also stressed that Velarde did not consult the elders of the group when he endorsed the former senator.
"He did not consult the elders. He did not consult Bishop (Jesse) Mercado, the bishop of Parañaque where the spiritual center of El Shaddai is under. He did not consult Fr. Sanny de Claro, the spiritual director of El Shaddai. He did not consult me the spiritial adviser of El Shaddai that's why it's a personal endorsement," he said.
Bacani, however, said that Velarde has the right to endorse any candidate.
"Bro. Mike has the right and freedom to endorse any candidate that he wants," he said.
Still, Bacani believes Velarde's endorsement of Marcos Jr is "very wrong."
The prelate on Saturday said El Shaddai members are not obliged to follow the opinion of Velarde.
"He cannot impose his choice on the El Shaddai prayer partners," Bacani said.