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Philippines

Catholic Church 'meddling in politics', says Marcos camp

Philippines

Catholic Church 'meddling in politics', says Marcos camp

By Joseph Pedrajas

After enjoying the endorsements of religious groups El Shaddai and Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the camp of presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Friday, March 4 hit the Catholic clergy for allegedly "meddling" with Philippine politics.

Lawyer Vic Rodriguez, Marcos Jr.’s spokesman, said that while they call for unity, they are also "saddened by the men and women of the Catholic clergy who are doing the exact opposite and have abused the pulpit".

The Marcos camp also claimed that the Church supposedly allowed itself "to become a platform for hateful and negative campaigning".

Rodriguez asserted that "as men and women of the cloth", the purported clergies "should be more circumspect" as well as "refrain from openly meddling with politics".

He also urged them to "stop making reckless imputation or statement that only serves as a spiritual, moral, social and cultural poison".

Rodriguez did not specify which instance of the Catholic Church's alleged meddling with politics he was alluding to. But his statement came after various religious groups endorsed the presidential bid of Marcos Jr.'s main rival, opposition standard-bearer Vice President Leni Robredo, as well as after several prominent Catholic Church members made pronouncements that were critical of the Marcoses.

On Feb. 12, El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde endorsed the candidacies of Marcos Jr. and his running mate, vice presidential bet Sara Duterte in front of his members. It happened after the duo attended an event of the religious group in Parañaque City.

Marcos Jr.'s and Duterte's hands were even raised by Velarde during the endorsement.

Lakas-CMD Media

Meanwhile, self-proclaimed appointed son of God Pastor Apollo Quiboloy also endorsed the so-called "UniTeam" tandem on Feb. 1 in an event in Davao City.

Related Tags

Bongbong Marcos endorsement El Shaddai Sara Duterte catholic clergy kingdom of jesus christ

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