Members of bloc-voting religious sect Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), who are also “kakampinks” of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, expressed their support for the tandem on Twitter, making the hashtag #KakampINC trend on the social media site after the INC endorsed another pair for the May elections.
Through its TV channel Net 25, INC officially endorsed survey frontrunners former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. INC also endorsed Marcos’ vice-presidential bid in 2016, but he lost to Robredo.
In 2010, it endorsed the tandem of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas. Aquino won but Roxas lost to former Vice President Jejomar Binay.
INC members, who also happen to be kakampinks or Robredo’s supporters, did not take the endorsement of Marcos-Duterte lightly.
Aside from using the hashtag #KakampINC, they also created, perhaps in jest, two other groups, “Mga titiwalag for Leni (Those who will resign for Leni)” and “2.6 million minus one.”
It is said that INC has some 2.6 million members in the country, making its endorsement critical to candidates.
READ: INC endorses BBM-Sara; find out 12 Senate bets that it is backing
“INC ako and it is written in the bible, "Thou shall not steal!" Utos ‘yan ng diyos. Shame on you INC leaders. I'll vote for Leni and Kiko,” Arnulfo Filipinas (@ArnulfoFilipin1) tweeted.
“I'm a active INC member and I will still vote for Leni and Kiko,” Dahon (@indigogo_1) said.
“Whatever happens, I'll always choose to be at the good side. I'm INC and my vote is for LeniKiko tandem,” Nasho (@hrryu21) added.
“Me and my friends are active members of INC but we will vote for LENIKIKO. Hugs to my fellow INC brothers and sisters who will continue to support and vote for LENIKIKO. Itindig natin 'to mga kapatid!!,” Twitter user itsrei (@itsreiii_) chimed in.
“I'am KATHLEEN RUNAS I'am an ARCHITECT I'am an OFW I'am a FILIPINO I was a ISKOLAR ng BAYAN I was born IGLESIA ni CRISTO My Vice President is @kikopangilinan and My President is @lenirobredo!,” PinkArchitect #IpanaloNa10To (@PINKArchitectPH) stated.
Most of the tweets were made by newly-created accounts on Twitter, but one INC member has an explanation.
“If we reveal our identities, aren't we going to be harassed by the other members of the church? You want us reveal our identities because you want to silence us. We're not blind followers. We have our own judgment. We will choose what's morally correct,” Ayie (@kierrazylene000) said.
“I've never imagine that this situation would come in my entire life. Im ready for the consequences. I'll stand for truth and for good governance,” Quirra (@quiiiquiiii) added.
The hashtag has been trending since Tuesday, May 3, night and continues to trend this Wednesday morning.