Politicians are flocking to different religious leaders like hungry migratory birds looking for more abundant warmer fields, courting them and indirectly asking to be chosen as the anointed one; and in effect may win the presidency with the tsunami of votes that these religious congregations may give the lucky guy.
Gibo Teodoro, Erap Estrada, Manny Villar, Eddie Villanueva and Noynoy Aquino are all courting Mike Villarde of El Shaddai, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy of Kingdom of Jesus Christ, and the Manalo’s of the Iglesia Ni Cristo and only a few of these Presidentiables approaching Catholic Bishops. These religious groups usually practice “block voting†and have proven to really deliver crucial votes.
Archbishop Cruz was indeed right in saying, “I am very happy I’m not God because if I were God, I would not know what to do…I think God must be having fun.â€
But more than the pun Cruz shares is the underlying ill that this exercise of Presidentiables in assuring a seat in Malacañang brings to the democratic process and public governance; putting public governance and policies hostage to religious institutions who pushes also their faith-based and institutional agenda.
This is made visible recently with the Reproductive Health Bill that was stalled and was eventually crushed in the House of Representatives as the Catholic Church and religious groups bullied politicians into choosing to throw the important piece of legislation into the trash bin; threatening of campaigning against those who pushed for it. And not only will these religious leaders gain a strong position on meddling with the dynamics of government process and policies but may also end up getting the better end of projects and contracts as Mike Velarde’s real estate company is being accused earning billions from overvalued lands sold to government during the time of Erap Estrada. And the RH Bill is not the only legislation and government policy that fall prey to intimidation and meddling of religious groups and institutions.
These endorsements do not come for free. God’s anointment is for a certain price the Filipino will have to eventually pay.
And while all these Presidentiables are promising us that they are their own man and will never yield to anyone or groups when eventually seated as a president, as early as now, we are already seeing who will once again have the upper hand on the shaping of public policies; more powerful than the votes of the common citizens. And gratitude may soon get the best out of the upcoming President.
This practice is a show of desperation for Presidentiables, campaigning of the lowest kind and the cheapest way of earning the Presidency:Â to trade the noblest (ideally) position in the land and power to serve to religious groups that hinder its followers on following the dictates of their own conscience and hindering them to practice their God-given power of freewill.
For now, none of these religious groups have yet raised a particular hand and told its millions of followers that “This is the man that God told me that will become the next President.â€
Negotiations and bargaining maybe are still being discussed? *grinning*
Now it makes me remember the preacher Wilde Almeda saying that God told him that Joe De Venecia is going to be the president during the 1998 elections betting to be shot dead if his bet will not win. But Estrada won. Velarde’s God was the more precise fortune-teller.
And now after almost 12 years, Almeda is still preaching.
What is your thought about Presidentiables and politicians in general asking for endorsements from religious leaders? How will these endorsements affect government policies?
Image from NewsFlavor
Does the Catholic Church endorse a candidate during elections? Correct me if I am wrong, but I don’t think so. They conduct info campaign for clean elections, including guidelines for responsible voting.
Instead of acting as kingmakers, these religious blocs should just limit themselves to conducting forums so their followers can hear all candidates speak on relevant issues facing the country.
Not likely to happen anytime soon, I know. These guys relish the prospect of these politicians grovelling at their feet during the campaign period.
Perhaps we need a leader endowed with balls of steel and thus immune from the religious perfumed claws?
The Catholic Church is not endorsing any candidate as an institution but some bishops have been known to endorse some candidates.
It must be a floating feeling for presidential aspirants to be kneeling on to their feet begging for their blessing; and that they have the upper hand on lobbying…
Balls of steel? wahhaha! Anyone who has actually have seen politicians who have balls of steel? Maybe it is superman who only has that…LOL!
Yeah, thanks for reminding me. Ahehehe. What’s with some of our bishops and ministers? They so want their share of the power and glory in the here and now. I so wish their Gods upset their well laid plans.
Support from religious groups provide a higher assurance of having their “investments” returned, so to speak.
@Jhay, that is the sad part though. Where are they getting back their investments? Or, do you think they really have capitals that came from their pockets? The Philippines is really a country with so much promise, but it is troubled by corruption and of course by the influence of these so-called “religious” sect.
I have yet to hear a religious group who is not playing along in this political circus.
Hay, the business and peddling of government positions…so sad, the true spirit of service to country cannot be found anymore among our present roster of politicians.
The Manila Bulletin published last February 10 a press release from the Iglesia ni Cristo that it is ordaining more than 200 ministers. The publication of this news is suspect given the current political climate: politicians are looking for the best religious (?) block business group who can deliver votes in kilo.
I hope this link will help >> http://phillipgarcia.wordpress.com/2009/01/30/behind-the-iglesia-ni-cristos-king-maker-role-a-chain-of-crimes-and-mythical-numbers/
Thanks for your comment Haruki
Oh man, these block voting is really an ancient practice not deserving a space in a modern democratic world. And politicians have become so cheap as to believe and espouse this kind of bargaining.
it is also a venue for these religious sects/orgs to be recognized all the more. though, it’s the candidate that gets most of the benefit.
@Ceblogger, i doubt that it’s the candidates that gets most of the benefit. I think it is the other way around. These religious groups are now lording over our political system as well. For example, where in the world can you find a religious leader’s death being given a special non-working holiday by the state and a road being named after a religious leader? What happens is that the politicians who were endorsed will then have to pay through what? Endorsements of people in the rank or different departments of the land by these religious leaders. How many Chief Justices are not appointed by the Iglesia ni Cristo?
There is a new article at the Manila Times written by I. Cañete Demain, arguing that religious groups influence in politics is rising exponentially today >>
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/top-stories/11827-good-morning
I really don’t know and I am not pretty sure if the the benefit is equal and mutual between the candidate and the religious groups. But I guess the long term benefit falls heavily on the religious groups who gave their endorsements.
we don’t have to be afraid of these religious groups endorsing candidates, unless they endorse a guilty criminal. what would these groups benefit really? members’ appointment to high positions? as long as they are qualified, why not? i do believe that right now, it’s the candidate who gets more of the benefit if he gets the endorsement. and what if these religious-backed appointees are qualified and upright men, who would benefit from it? it would still be the people.
maybe it’s time for the good people, even the religious people, to get involved in nation-building. even if it takes for them to join politics. bro. elmot, pwede ka rin mag join. hehe.
Hi Novz,
Yes, if only … they are qualified and if the religious group endorsing is not after favors. If only …
@Novz: there is actually no problem with religious groups joining the building of this nation, wag lang ung nang iimpluwensiya at nagbabanta sa gobyerno sa mga isyu na mga panukala na dapat ay ang mga tao ang nagdedesisyon…
Join ako dyan Bro. Novz, eheheh!
elmot´s last blog ..Movie on the Life of Jason Ivler eyed for Xian Lim
You’re gay. Gays should not be allowed to talk.
Am I not allowed to talk? Well I have already spoken….
Presidentiables and politicians in general will almost always ask for endorsement from almost anybody; but, religious institutions should make it a point to distance themselves from this often dirty world of politics to preserve their credibility. As vicars of Christ, they should not stoop down to the level of a political campaign manager.