Religious group Iglesia Ni Cristo officially endorses Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte for president and vice president in the 2022 elections.

It was announced on Tuesday, May 3, in the INC-owned broadcast channel Net 25. A Net 25 broadcast anchor made the announcement in Filipino saying that “the unity of Iglesia is recognized by its members as one of the teachings of the Bible that should be followed.”

It was reported just 2 days ago that presidential aspirant Isko Moreno Damagoso says he is still hoping for the influential endorsement of the INC. “I  always write. I ask for the help of Iglesia ni Kristo. Everyone I ask for help because I need help.” 

INC said that their decision was made after “thorough study and research”. The religious group also endorsed Marcos in the 2016 vice-presidential election where he was narrowly defeated by Robredo, who is seeking the presidency this time. 

“Sisikapin po namin na ang tiwalang ibinigay n’yo sa aming tambalan ay magbubunga ng tunay na pagkakaisa ng mga Pilipino (We will work hard to repay this trust by unifying Filipinos)” said Marcos, sticking to a message of unity.

INC is proud to have endorsed candidates who have gone on to win. Prior to Aquino, the INC endorsed Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Joseph Estrada. INC spokesman Edwil Zabala rejected rumors that such endorsements come with conditions in a 2014 interview.

Members of the said religious group follow a specific doctrine namely: John 17:21-23 and 1 Corinthians 1:10, “But I urge you all, brothers, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, to agree in what you say and not to allow factions among you, but to be perfectly united in the mind and judgement” the doctrine focuses mainly on unity of everyone, which the Uniteam is famous for.

The said doctrine is acknowledged and respected by all, but there are no actual rules about who the members should or should not vote for. One can abide by the endorsement or not, there is no forced voting since free will is also practiced by everyone in the INC. 

INC backing the uniteam received different sorts of reactions from members and non members alike. Members have split opinions regarding the endorsement because they have their own presidential bets and find the endorsement questionable, but Uniteam supporters think otherwise. 

With this, the term Iglesia trends on twitter as the endorsement was announced. Marcos-Duterte’s main rivals Robredo-Pangilinan’s supporters trend #KakampINC as to oppose the controversial topic.