Former Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Wednesday thanked the leadership and members of the influential religious group Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) for supporting his Senate comeback bid.
"Nais ko pong magpasalamat kina Ka Eduardo Manalo at sa buong kapatiran ng Iglesia ni Kristo sa inyong pagsuporta at pag-endorso sa akin (I'd like to thank Ka Eduardo Manalo and the whole Iglesia ni Kristo for supporting and endorsing me)," Ejercito said in a statement.
Malaking bagay ito dahil mahirap itong kampanya na pinagdaanan ko. Masaya ako na hindi ako iniwan ng Iglesia ni Cristo sa labang ito (This is going to be big boost to my Senate bid because this campaign was difficult. I am happy that the INC was with me in my fight),” he further said.
The church’s support for Ejercito, as well as its official endorsements for President, Vice President, and the 11 other seats up for grabs in this year’s senatorial race, was announced last night on the INC-owned television network Net 25.
The INC also announced its support for presidential frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and vice presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
The INC also included former vice president Jejomar Binay, Alan Peter Cayetano, Guillermo Eleazar, Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Sherwin Gatchalian, Loren Legarda, Robin Padilla, Joel Villanueva, Mark Villar, and Juan Miguel Zubiri in their “unity vote” senatorial lineup.
The INC is known for its bloc-voting policy and the deep solidarity of its leadership and three million members when voting. Both national and local candidates are known to be enthusiastically courting the INC's leadership.
Ejercito said he considers the INC an important partner in helping the country emerge from the effects of the pandemic and other crises.
“Hindi ako natatakot sa mga haharapin nating mga hamon pagkatapos ng Mayo sapagkat alam kong katuwang ko ang iba’t ibang mga sektor, kasama na ang Iglesia ni Cristo, sa pagharap at pagtugon sa mga ito (I am not afraid to face the challenges we will face after the May polls because I know that all sectors including the INC are one with our advocacy) ,” Ejercito said.
Ejercito also said he credits the recent outpour of support for his campaign to the fact that more people are now aware of his contributions to improving healthcare and housing in the country.
“Ikinatutuwa ko rin na dumarami na ang nakakaalam sa aking mga nagawa noong unang termino ko sa Senado (I am very glad that more and more people are aware of what I have done during my Senate term)," he said.
"Dumarami na rin ang nakakaramdam sa mga benepisyo ng ating mga landmark na batas, katulad ng (More people are also experiencing the benefits of our landmark laws, like the) Universal Healthcare Law at Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Law,” he pointed out.