Iglesia ni Cristo and Philippine elections

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The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) is noted for its role in elections in the Philippines. The Iglesia ni Cristo is known for its practice of bloc voting during elections. [1] [2] [3] The INC is known for issuing directives to vote for certain candidates endorsed by the church under the tenet of obedience and the advocacy of a united unit. [1] INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala has stressed the importance of unity of its members with the church leadership. [4] As a consequence, candidates often attempt to secure endorsement from the INC. [5]

Contents

Analysis

President Rodrigo Duterte receives a warm welcome from INC leader Eduardo Manalo during the President's visit at the INC Central Temple in Commonwealth, Quezon City on Dec 14, 2018 Rodrigo Duterte - Eduardo Manalo meet.jpg
President Rodrigo Duterte receives a warm welcome from INC leader Eduardo Manalo during the President's visit at the INC Central Temple in Commonwealth, Quezon City on Dec 14, 2018

While it is conceded that the effect of the INC's bloc vote might be influential in local elections where the winning margin can only amount to a few hundred votes, the potency of it has yet to be tested convincingly in national races. [6] The INC usually announces its endorsements around a week before election day "when the rankings of the candidates in the polls have stabilized" and candidates' rankings in opinion polls seem to be an important factor on how the INC chooses candidates to support. [5]

Some candidates endorsed by the INC in senatorial elections for instance, have failed to win. During the 2016 Senate elections, INC-backed Martin Romualdez and Francis Tolentino were defeated by Leila de Lima and Kiko Pangilinan. [7]

Allen Surla, professor at De La Salle University pointed out that the INC bloc-voting has served the sect well “since they are able to negotiate with politicians' concessions that otherwise would have been denied of less organized groups". For local positions, they can bargain for the employment of their own members, in exchange for perpetual political support. “They may ask the mayor or the governor that a certain percentage of the employment be given to INC members,” Surla said. But INC spokesman Edwil Zabala, in a separate interview, strongly denied that the INC bloc-vote has strings attached to it. “We vote, that’s it. It is one of the misconceptions that after voting, we do other things. Those who assert that, they should be the ones providing proof for their assertion. We vote, that’s all". [6]

Bloc voting is also only practiced inside the Philippines and has never been practiced by members abroad given that election laws existing within their respective countries might bar it. An example in the United States is the Johnson Amendment, a provision in the U.S. tax code since 1954 that prohibits all 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations from endorsing or opposing political candidates. INC has presence in the United States as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and a conduct of bloc voting there similar to their churches in the Philippines will violate the Johnson Amendment that may lead to Internal Revenue Service investigations and a warrant of revocation of tax-exempt status.

Criticism

Edu Manzano, who ran for vice mayor in 1998 (won) and mayor in 2001 (lost) in Makati said that "letting the people decide the election rather than a bloc vote endorsement is better". In both instances INC endorsed his opponents Ernesto Mercado in 1998, and MMDA Chairman Jejomar Binay in 2001. [8] Also, Gwendolyn Garcia in 2007 berated some church officials and accusing them of "endorsement for sale", as Garcia's opponents were endorsed. [9]

Endorsements (nationally-elected candidates)

The following is the list of candidates who have been elected by the Iglesia ni Cristo. The list is limited to candidates running for president, vice president, and senators.

President

YearRankCandidatePartyVotes%ResultRef.
1935 1. Manuel Quezon Nacionalista 695,33267.99Won [3]
1941 1. Manuel Quezon Nacionalista 1,340,32081.78Won [3]
1946 1. Manuel Roxas Liberal 1,333,39253.94Won [3]
1949 3. Jose Avelino Liberal 419,89011.85Lost [3]
1961 2. Carlos P. Garcia Nacionalista 2,902,99644.95Lost [10]
1965 1. Ferdinand Marcos Nacionalista 3,861,32451.94Won [3]
1969 1. Ferdinand Marcos Nacionalista 5,017,34361.47Won [3]
1981 1. Ferdinand Marcos KBL 18,309,36088.02Won [3]
1986 1. Ferdinand Marcos KBL 10,807,19753.62Won [3]
1992 3. Danding Cojuangco NPC 4,116,37618.17Lost [11]
1998 1. Joseph Estrada LAMMP 10,722,29539.86Won [12]
2004 1. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Lakas 12,905,80839.99Won [13] [14]
2010 1. Benigno Aquino III Liberal 15,208,67842.08Won [15] [16]
2016 1. Rodrigo Duterte PDP–Laban 16,601,99739.02Won [17] [18]
2022 1. Bongbong Marcos PFP 31,629,78358.77Won [19] [20]

Vice President

YearRankCandidatePartyVotes%ResultRef.
1961 2. Sergio Osmeña, Jr. Independent 2,190,42434.37Lost [21]
1969 2. Genaro Magsaysay Liberal 2,190,42434.37Lost [22]
1992 1. Joseph Estrada NPC 6,739,73833.01Won [23]
1998 1. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Lakas 12,667,25249.56Won [12]
2004 1. Noli de Castro Independent 15,100,43149.80Won [14]
2010 2. Mar Roxas Liberal 13,918,49039.58Lost [15] [16]
2016 2. Bongbong Marcos Independent 14,155,34434.47Lost [17] [18]
2022 1. Sara Duterte Lakas 32,208,41761.53Won [19] [20]

Senators

1995

The following list is incomplete, but endorsed 7 candidates from Lakas–Laban Coalition, and 5 candidates from Nationalist People's Coalition. [24]

RankCandidatePartyCoalitionVotes%ResultRef.
5. Juan Flavier Lakas LABAN 10,748,52841.76Won [24]
6. Miriam Defensor Santiago PRP NPC 9,497,23136.90Won
9. Gringo Honasan Independent NPC 8,968,61634.853Won
15. Bongbong Marcos KBL NPC 8,168,76831.74Lost

2001

RankCandidatePartyCoalitionVotes%ResultRef.
1. Noli de Castro Independent Independent [a] 16,237,38655.09Won [25]
2 Juan Flavier Lakas PPC 11,735,89739.82Won
3. Serge Osmeña PDP–Laban PPC 11,593,38939.33Won
4. Franklin Drilon Independent PPC 11,301,70038.34Won
5. Joker Arroyo Lakas PPC 11,262,40238.21Won
6. Jun Magsaysay Liberal PPC 11,250,67738.17Won
7. Manny Villar Independent PPC 11,187,37537.96Won
8. Kiko Pangilinan Liberal PPC 10,971,89637.23Won
9. Ed Angara LDP PnM 10,805,17736.66Won
10. Panfilo Lacson LDP PnM 10,535,55935.74Won
11. Loi Ejercito Independent PnM 10,524,13035.71Won
12. Ralph Recto Lakas PPC 10,480,94035.56Won
15. Miriam Defensor Santiago PRP PnM 9,622,74232.65Lost

2004

RankCandidatePartyCoalitionVotes%ResultRef.
1. Mar Roxas Liberal K4 19,372,88854.56Won [26]
2 Bong Revilla Lakas K4 15,801,53144.50Won
3. Nene Pimentel PDP–Laban KNP 13,519,99838.07Won
4. Jamby Madrigal LDP KNP 13,253,69237.32Won
7. Miriam Defensor Santiago PRP K4 12,187,40134.32Won
8. Alfredo Lim PMP KNP 11,286,42831.78Won
9. Juan Ponce Enrile PMP KNP 11,191,16231.52Won
10. Jinggoy Estrada PMP KNP 11,094,12031.24Won
12. Rodolfo Biazon Liberal K4 10,635,27029.95Won
13. Robert Barbers Lakas K4 10,624,58529.92Lost
14. Ernesto Maceda NPC KNP 9,944,32828.00Lost
15. John Henry Osmeña NPC K4 9,914,17927.92Lost

2007

RankCandidatePartyCoalitionVotes%ResultRef.
1 Loren Legarda NPC GO 18,501,73462.72Won [27]
2 Chiz Escudero NPC GO 18,265,30761.92Won
3 Ping Lacson UNO GO 15,509,18852.58Won
4 Manny Villar Nacionalista GO 15,338,41252.00Won
5 Kiko Pangilinan Liberal Independent 14,534,67849.27Won
6 Noynoy Aquino Liberal GO 14,309,34948.51Won
7 Ed Angara LDP TEAM Unity 12,657,76942.91Won
8 Joker Arroyo KAMPI TEAM Unity 11,803,10740.01Won
12 Migz Zubiri [b] Lakas TEAM Unity 11,005,86637.31Won
14 Ralph Recto Lakas TEAM Unity 10,721,25236.34Lost
14 Mike Defensor Lakas TEAM Unity 9,938,99533.69Lost
19 Tito Sotto NPC TEAM Unity 7,638,36125.89Lost

2010

RankCandidatePartyVotes%ResultRef.
1. Bong Revilla Lakas 19,513,52151.15Won [28]
2. Jinggoy Estrada PMP 18,925,92549.61Won
3. Miriam Defensor Santiago PRP 17,344,74245.47Won
4. Franklin Drilon Liberal 15,871,11741.60Won
5. Juan Ponce Enrile PMP 15,665,61841.06Won
6. Pia Cayetano Nacionalista 13,679,51135.86Won
7. Bongbong Marcos Nacionalista 13,169,63434.52Won
8. Ralph Recto Liberal 12,436,96032.60Won
9. Tito Sotto NPC 11,891,71131.17Won
11. Lito Lapid Lakas 11,025,80528.90Won
12. TG Guingona Liberal 10,277,35226.94Won
16. Ruffy Biazon Liberal 8,626,51422.61Lost

2013

RankCandidatePartyCoalitionVotes%ResultRef.
1 Grace Poe Independent Team PNoy 20,337,32750.66Won [29]
2 Loren Legarda NPC Team PNoy 18,661,19646.49Won
3 Alan Peter Cayetano Nacionalista Team PNoy 17,580,81343.79Won
5 Nancy Binay UNA UNA 16,812,14841.88Won
6 Sonny Angara LDP Team PNoy 16,005,56439.87Won
7 Bam Aquino Liberal Team PNoy 15,534,46538.70Won
9 Sonny Trillanes Nacionalista Team PNoy 14,127,72235.19Won
10 Cynthia Villar Nacionalista Team PNoy 13,822,85434.43Won
11 JV Ejercito PMP UNA 13,684,73634.09Won
12 Gringo Honasan Independent UNA 13,211,42432.91Won
13 Dick Gordon Bagumbayan UNA 12,501,99131.14Lost
15 Jack Enrile NPC UNA 11,543,02428.75Lost

2016

RankCandidatePartyCoalitionVotes%ResultRef.
1 Franklin Drilon Liberal KDM 18,607,39141.37Won [30]
2 Joel Villanueva Liberal KDM 18,459,22241.04Won
3 Tito Sotto NPC PGP 17,200,37138.24Won
4 Panfilo Lacson Independent KDM 16,926,15237.63Won
5 Richard "Dick" Gordon Independent PGP 16,719,32237.17Won
6 Migz Zubiri Independent PGP 16,119,16535.84Won
7 Manny Pacquiao UNA UNA 16,050,54635.68Won
9 Risa Hontiveros Akbayan KDM 15,915,21335.38Won
10 Sherwin Gatchalian NPC PGP 14,953,76833.25Won
11 Ralph Recto Liberal KDM 14,271,86831.73Won
13 Francis Tolentino Independent PRP 12,811,09828.48Lost
15 Martin Romualdez Lakas PRP 12,325,82427.40Lost

2019

RankCandidatePartyCoalitionVotes%ResultRef.
1. Cynthia Villar Nacionalista Hugpong 25,283,72753.46Won [31]
2 Grace Poe Independent Independent 22,029,78846.58Won
3. Bong Go PDP–Laban Hugpong 20,657,70243.68Won
4. Pia Cayetano Nacionalista Hugpong 19,789,01941.84Won
5. Ronald dela Rosa PDP–Laban Hugpong 19,004,22540.18Won
6. Sonny Angara LDP Hugpong 18,161,86238.40Won
7. Lito Lapid NPC NPC 16,965,46435.87Won
8. Imee Marcos Nacionalista Hugpong 15,882,62833.58Won
9. Francis Tolentino PDP–Laban Hugpong 15,510,02632.79Won
11. Bong Revilla Lakas Hugpong 14,624,44530.92Won
12. Nancy Binay UNA UNA 14,504,93630.67Won
15. Jinggoy Estrada PMP Hugpong 11,359,30524.02Lost

2022

RankCandidatePartyVotes%ResultRef.
1. Robin Padilla PDP–Laban 27,027,23548.23Won [32]
2. Loren Legarda NPC 24,367,56443.48Won
4. Win Gatchalian NPC 20,678,80436.89Won
5. Francis Escudero NPC 20,320,06936.26Won
6. Mark Villar Nacionalista 19,563,26234.91Won
7. Alan Peter Cayetano Independent 19,359,75834.54Won
8. Migz Zubiri Independent 18,931,20733.78Won
9. Joel Villanueva Independent 18,539,53733.08Won
11. JV Ejercito NPC 15,901,89128.37Won
12. Jinggoy Estrada PMP 15,174,28827.08Won
13. Jejomar Binay UNA 13,348,88723.82Lost
16. Guillermo Eleazar Reporma 11,360,52620.27Lost

2025

Only 8 candidates were endorsed by the sect:

RankCandidatePartyCoalitionVotes%ResultRef.
1 Bong Go PDP DuterTen 27,121,0736.33Won [33]
2 Bam Aquino KANP KiBam 20,971,8994.89Won
3 Ronald dela Rosa PDP DuterTen 20,773,9464.85Won
6 Rodante Marcoleta Independent DuterTen 15,250,7233.56Won
9 Pia Cayetano Nacionalista Alyansa 14,573,4303.40Won
10 Camille Villar Nacionalista Alyansa [c] 13,651,2743.19Won
12 Imee Marcos Nacionalista Independent [c] [d] 13,339,2273.11Won
14 Bong Revilla Lakas Alyansa 12,027,8452.81Lost

Endorsements on local executives

The following are those endorsed in local elections by the sect:

Manila

Mayor

YearRankCandidatePartyVotes%ResultRef.
2019 1. Isko Moreno Asenso 357,92550.15Won [34]
2022 1. Honey Lacuna Asenso 538,59563.68Won [35]
2025 1. Isko Moreno Aksyon 530,82559.02%Won [36]

Vice Mayor

YearRankCandidatePartyVotes%ResultRef.
2019 1. Honey Lacuna Asenso 394,76657.28Won [34]
2022 1. Yul Servo Asenso 586,85573.67Won [35]
2025 1. Chi Atienza Aksyon 584,14566.65%Won [36]

Makati

Mayor

YearRankCandidatePartyVotes%ResultRef.
2001 1. Jejomar Binay PDP–Laban 137,03065.49Won [37]
2025 2. Luis Campos NPC 85,66441.97Lost

Vice Mayor

YearRankCandidatePartyVotes%ResultRef.
1998 2.Ernesto S. Mercado PDP–Laban 100,89438.95Lost [37]
2001 1.Ernesto S. Mercado PDP–Laban 115,69656.97Won [37]
2025 1. Kid Peña NPC 146,77173.00Won

Notes

  1. ↑ Guest candidate of Puwersa ng Masa
  2. ↑ Migz Zubiri was later removed from office in favor of Koko Pimentel who won an election protest.
  3. 1 2 Guest candidates of DuterTen
  4. ↑ Originally ran with Alyansa prior to her withdrawal on March 26

References

  1. 1 2 Quismundo, Tarra. "Expelled Iglesia ni Cristo minister's lawyer says bloc voting may be no more" . Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Analyst: Other Christian groups can negate INC bloc vote for Marcos, Duterte". ABS-CBN News. May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Iglesia Ni Cristo endorsements and how the presidential candidates fared in the past elections". Philstar Life. The Philippine Star. May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  4. ↑ Cahiles, Gerg (April 6, 2019). "Politics of recognition: The power of religious endorsement in the 2019 polls". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  5. 1 2 Baclig, Cristina Eloisa (May 5, 2022). "INC endorsements: Do they matter?". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  6. 1 2 Rufo, Aries (July 27, 2014). "How potent is the INC's vote delivery system?". www.rappler.com. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  7. ↑ Santos, Reynaldo Jr. (May 22, 2016). "Is Iglesia ni Cristo's bloc voting still strong in 2016?". www.rappler.com. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  8. ↑ Sy, Marvin (May 15, 2001). "Elections in Makati generally peaceful". www.philstar.com. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Gov. Garcia hits Iglesia Ni Cristo". Philstar.com. May 22, 2007. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  10. ↑ The Winners ’61, November, 1961. November 1961. The Philippines Free Press.
  11. ↑ Shenon, Philip (May 11, 1992). "Under Marcos's Shadow, Filipinos Vote in Close Race". The New York Times. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  12. 1 2 Vanzi, Sol Jose (May 7, 1998). "Iglesia ni Cristo Endorses Erap-Gloria". Headline News Philippines. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Arroyo wins Philippine election". Al Jazeera. June 20, 2004. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  14. 1 2 Sy, Marvin; Villanueva, Marichu (May 7, 2004). "INC, Shaddai endorse GMA". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  15. 1 2 "List of Candidates for President and Vice-President with Votes Obtained" (PDF). Commission on Elections. September 29, 2015. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  16. 1 2 Macairan, Evelyn (May 6, 2010). "INC picks Aquino, Roxas". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  17. 1 2 "Joint Public Session: Resolution of Both Houses No. 1" (PDF). Congress of the Philippines. May 30, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  18. 1 2 "Duterte, Marcos get INC endorsement for May 9 polls". CNN Philippines. May 2, 2016. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  19. 1 2 "National Canvassing 2022 - Joint Session of Congress". House of Representatives. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  20. 1 2 Gulleand, Jimbo; Pañares, Joyce Pangco (May 3, 2025). "INC endorses BBM, Sara". Manila Standard. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  21. ↑ Soliven, Maximo (1962). "The Elections 1961". Philippine Studies. 10 (1): 3–31. doi:10.13185/2244-1638.2789.
  22. ↑ How Lopez won. November 1969. The Philippines Free Press.
  23. ↑ Rivas, Ralf (June 17, 2020). "Kingmaker: Danding Cojuangco's presidential bid and the ghost of coco levy". RAPPLER. Retrieved July 16, 2025. Parreño said in his book that Cojuangco's Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), with the help of the influential Iglesia ni Cristo, convinced Estrada to run for vice president instead. In return, Cojuangco would support Estrada in the 1998 presidential elections.
  24. 1 2 "Iglesia picks 7-5 mix for Senate". news.google.com. May 5, 1995. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  25. ↑ "8-5 ang iboboto ng INC sa mga senador". Philstar.com. May 12, 2001. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  26. ↑ Sy, Marvin; Villanueva, Marichu A. "INC, Shaddai endorse GMA". Philstar.com. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  27. ↑ Porcalla, Delon; Diaz, Jess (May 10, 2007). "Iglesia endorsement favors TU Senate bets 6-5-1". Philstar.com. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  28. ↑ Macairan, Evelyn. "INC picks Aquino, Roxas". The Philippine Star.
  29. ↑ Porcalla, Delon. "INC endorses 7 Team PNoy, 5 UNA bets". Philstar.com. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
  30. ↑ Ramirez, Robertson. "INC endorses Duterte-Marcos". Philstar.com. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Iglesia endorses 9 admin bets plus Poe, Lapid, Binay". ABS-CBN News . May 12, 2019. Archived from the original on April 27, 2025. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
  32. ↑ Escosio, Jan V. (May 3, 2022). "INC endorses BBM-Sara; find out 12 Senate bets that it is backing". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  33. ↑ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (May 9, 2025). "Iglesia ni Cristo endorses 8 Senate bets". Inquirer.net. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  34. 1 2 "Isko Moreno, Lacuna get INC support". The Manila Times. May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  35. 1 2 Ong, Ghlo (May 6, 2022). "INC endorses Lacuna's bid for mayor". Philstar.com. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  36. 1 2 Escosio, Jan (May 5, 2025). "Iglesia ni Cristo endorses Isko Moreno, Chi Atienza for Manila". Inquirer.net. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  37. 1 2 3 Sy, Marvin (May 15, 2001). "Elections in Makati generally peaceful". www.philstar.com. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
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