With the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC)
shamelessly flexing whatever political muscle its leaders think they have, the
2016 elections may just see voters from all the other religions being
galvanized into voting against INC-anointed candidates.
This can be seen from the
overwhelming outrage and disdain expressed by many Filipinos on social and
mainstream media in reaction to the disruptive five-day street protest held by
the INC that snarled traffic on Taft Avenue and Padre Faura St. in Manila
and along EDSA in Mandaluyong.
As such, politicians seen to have
pandered to the whims and caprices of the INC are facing the very real risk of
alienating non-INC voters in predominantly Catholic Philippines. On the
other hand, those who have dared defy the INC like Justice Secretary Leila de
Lima are gaining snowballing support from non-INC voters.
While the 2013 elections once again
proved the Catholic vote to be a myth with the resounding defeat of its
“pro-life” senatorial candidates, the so-called INC vote – at most not
even in excess of 1.5 million votes – is overrated.
In 1986, INC supported Marcos and
lost against Cory Aquino and the Filipino people’s clamor for democracy. The
INC’s presidential bet in 1992 landed a poor third, while in 2007, three INC
senatorial candidates also lost.
In 2010, Mar Roxas tried hard to
court the INC vote but despite getting its nod lost the vice presidential
election. Along with Roxas, a high-profile senatorial candidate who tried to
follow his father’s footsteps lost despite INC backing.
Even in local elections, INC
anointment did not ensure victory. Just to cite a few: Ex-reporter Mon Ilagan
beat INC-endorsed Nic Felix for mayor of Cainta in 2004; INC bet Eloise
Agbayani lost the 2007 Pangasinan gubernatorial race; while Quezon Gov. Rafael
Nantes lost his 2010 reelection bid despite INC support.
Politicians can choose to grovel
before the INC but they should take notice that voters from all the other
religions are looking at them with contempt. –End-
Image by: PhlFails
Walang komento:
Mag-post ng isang Komento