President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has expressed his gratitude to the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) for cooperating with the government, and working with the rest of the Filipino people as the religious organization celebrated its 108th anniversary on July 27.
In his message, Marcos expressed his "whole-hearted" greetings to the INC, noting how its members' deep faith in God has highlighted the importance of living the gospel to mold one's humanity.
The President thanked the religious organization for working with the government and hoped their unity would help everyone toward a better future.
"Lubos ang aking pasasalamat sa inyong pakikiisa sa pamahalaan at sa mga mamamayang Pilipino sa pagtataguyod ng kabutihan at kapayapaan sa ating bansa at sa iba't ibang panig ng mundo (My sincerest gratitude to your cooperation with the government and with the Filipinos in promoting goodness and peace in the country and the rest of the world)," he said.
"Gamitin natin ang pagkakataong ito upang tayo ay ganap na magkasundo sa kabila ng ating mga pagkakaiba at hindi pagkakaunawaan (Let us take this opportunity so we can all unite despite our differences and misunderstandings)," he added.
"Nawa, sa ating pagbubuklod ay makamit natin nang sama-sama ang ating mga minimithi para sa Inang Bayan (I hope that with unity, we can fulfill our dreams for the country together)," he continued.
READ: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s message for the 108th anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo. @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/OdgZNyEIpe
— Argyll Cyrus Geducos (@argyllcyrus_MB) July 27, 2022
Marcos, who got the backing of the INC in the past two consecutive national elections, hoped that the Almighty would continue to guide INC's Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo and church members and officials.
"Hangad ko na pagkalooban sila ng Diyos ng sapat na lakas, karunungan, at kababaang-loob para sa higit na ikauunlad ng Iglesia ni Cristo (I hope that God will give them enough strength, knowledge, and humility for the further development of INC)," he said.
In 2009, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Republic Act No. 9645, declaring July 27 of every year as a special working holiday in celebration of INC's founding anniversary.