The other day we received an e-mail from a certain Joey Lipa who, we presume, is a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC). He called our attention to the mistake in the identification of the over-all head of the religious sect. We identified the INC head in our column four days back as Rev. Edgardo Manalo.
Mr. Lipa corrected us saying that the head of the INC is not Edgardo but Eduardo Manalo. And the INC members do not call him Reverend but simply Chief Minister or Brother Eduardo. We stand corrected and sorry Mr. Lipa and the rest of the INC members if such very minor mistakes do not bode well with the religious group.
But honestly, as to Brother Eduardo’s name it simply was a case of our fingers beating the speed of our mind while we were encoding our column. All we had in our head that time was really Eduardo but our fingers punched different alphabets.
As to Chief Minister or Brother Manalo’s title, it was unfortunate that we have been used to calling religious leaders Reverend that we failed to consider whether the title is appropriate for the head of the INC.
Again, we are sorry for the mess.
As to the INC’s readiness for possible consequences, we have no reason to argue that it is always ready. After all our question as to the sect’s readiness was premised on a situation where the members who joined the rally will be goaded by some scheming politicians into allowing the peace rally as vehicle for their own political agenda including attempts to drive the President out of Malacanang.
Again our thanks to Mr. Lipa for calling our attention and reminding us of the INC’s preparedness for whatever consequences that would have come out had some scrupulous politicians succeeded in inserting their agenda in the INC rally.
We can only hope that it is for real.
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Indeed the INC rallies held in strategic centers all over the country succeeded in making it rallies for peace. But many seem to doubt whether or not it attained the other purpose of uniting the political leaders of the country for the attainment of the desired development and progress of the Philippines.
What was clear in the rally is its manifestation of support for Vice President Sara Duterte using as means the President’s appeal to Congress not to pursue the impeachment moves. All the more that the ugly head of politics became obviously visible when Congressman Rodante Marcoleta, an INC member delivered a fiery speech. While the Congressman did not bask on his being an INC member, the language he used in his speech clearly manifested his thoughts as a part of the Duterte Senatorial line-up. And Marcoleta had no qualms in saying things against the administration.
Indeed, Marcoleta’s using his time as one of the speakers in the rally in buoying up his candidacy and the rest of the Duterte-led anti-administration team was the only one occasion that gave some kind of a “blot” in what was an erstwhile “peace and unity” rally.
And yes, given the estimate of the number of attendees in the rallies held in Manila and in Davao City alone which is roughly two million people, the INC was successful in making a statement. That is, that given the experience that INC members go “bloc voting,” they can make and unmake politicians.
That to us, is exactly the hidden agenda in that Monday the 13th INC national rallies; that their number cannot be taken for granted.
That is why that in so many elections that we have been part of the electorate, candidates, whether for local or national positions, are like ants marching with some discreetness to the offices of INC leaders to seek their endorsement and support.
Getting the religious sect leaders’ commitment is already more than half assurance of getting elected to the post aimed at.
Now, with the massive rallies over, what can the Filipino people expect to happen next? Will the Lower House be bullish in pursuing the impeachment of the Vice President? Will the members of the House be slowing down on the impeach move knowing that most, if not all of them are running for reelection and there is no doubt that in the district they represent there are a number of INC members who are obedient to the policies adopted by their Church?
We are pretty sure that the re-electionist Congressmen will be having second thoughts after witnessing the throng of INC members in the nationwide rallies.
