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Analyst: Other Christian groups can negate INC bloc vote for Marcos, Duterte

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Iglesia ni Cristo church along Commonwealth Avenue in this photo taken on Jan. 26, 2019. Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/news/05/04/20190126-iglesia-ni-cristo-commonwealth-gcs-6103.jpg"/><figcaption>Iglesia ni Cristo church along Commonwealth Avenue in this photo taken on Jan. 26, 2019. <em>Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — Other Christian groups can negate the endorsement that presidential candidate Ferdinand &quot;Bongbong&quot; Marcos Jr. and his running mate Sara Duterte-Carpio secured from the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), a political analyst said Wednesday.</p><p>Dindo Manhit, president of Stratbase ADR Institute, noted that about 85 percent of voters in the country identify as Catholic.</p><p>&quot;It (INC endorsement) can be negated if there is a strong campaign from other church bloc,&quot; he told ANC&#x27;s &quot;Rundown&quot;. &quot;But it&#x27;s really Iglesia who has really used this to, based on the discernment of their leaders, really guide their followers to a certain candidate.&quot;</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/03/22/inc-endorses-bongbong-marcos-sara-duterte">INC endorses Bongbong Marcos, Sara Duterte-Carpio for #Halalan2022</a></li></ul><p>The influential group, which has millions of followers overseas, announced its endorsement on Tuesday.</p><p>At least 2 percent of registered voters are members of INC and could swing the vote, Manhit said.</p><p>&quot;Historically, they are considered solid and it&#x27;s reflective on how in tight races, even in local campaigns, the value of an endorsement gives a boost on the campaign,&quot; he added.</p><p>In the 2016 elections, the INC endorsed then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Sara&#x27;s father, for the presidency, and Marcos for the vice presidency.</p><p>While Duterte won the presidential race, Marcos lost to Vice President Leni Robredo.</p><p>Robredo&#x27;s Malacañang bid has secured the backing of hundreds of Catholic priests, nuns, and lay leaders. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/05/04/22/can-catholic-church-blessing-thwart-marcos-win">Win or lose, &#x27;Kakampink&#x27; Church leaders to wage &#x27;moral crusade&#x27; beyond Halalan Day</a></li></ul><p>But in Pulse Asia&#x27;s last pre-election survey from April 16-21, Marcos continued to enjoy a two-fold lead over Robredo, as their scores barely moved from the previous poll. </p><p>Twenty-three percent of respondents said they would vote for her if the elections were held last month, while 56 percent chose Marcos.</p><p>Manhit noted that Marcos&#x27; rallies were driven by local political leaders, while Robredo&#x27;s sorties were led by volunteers.</p><p>&quot;The challenge is who can deliver the votes come May 9? Who can move from house to house, community to community and deliver the votes?&quot; he said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/05/05/10/religious-endorsements-half-truths-bloated-figures-strings-attached">Religious endorsements: Half-truths, bloated figures, with strings attached</a></li></ul><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2022638" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><div> </div>

Other Christian groups can negate Iglesia Ni Cristo's endorsement for Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte, an analyst said.