MANILA, Philippines – An internal survey among members of the Catholic charismatic group El Shaddai reportedly showed that they prefer Vice President Jejomar Binay as the next president of the Philippines, the United Nationalist Alliance said in a press statement on Friday, May 6.

UNA based this on the statement made by radio host Brother Rey Vargas on El Shaddai’s DWXI 1314 on Friday.

 “Uulitin ko: hindi tayo diniktahan ng ating mahal na punong lingkod. Kung hindi itong ating sinasabi ay bunga at epekto o resulta ng ating internal survey. Kung bakit ang napili natin ay si Jojo Binay ay dahil sa alam natin na marami siyang nagawa,” Vargas was quoted by UNA as saying.

(I will repeat: our beloved leader did not dictate on us. What we’re saying is a result from our internal survey. The reason why we chose Jojo Binay is because we know he was able to accomplish a lot.)

DWXI serves as the radio arm of El Shaddai, a religious Catholic group believed to have around 8 million followers worldwide. 

The group is being pursued by politicians during elections season because they are believed to deliver votes for a favored candidate. It did not officially endorse any candidate in the 2010 elections.

Vargas’ co-host, Brother Raffy De los Reyes, said that Binay’s  accomplishments in Makati while he was mayor are proof of his capability to lead. 

“At mayroon nang sample, ang Makati, hindi po ba? Ang Makati ang nagpapatotoo na sila ay naooperahan, na napakaliit ng kanilang binayaran. Hindi nila naramdaman ang pamomoroblema. Ang mga bata libre ang papaaral. Marami po ang pagpapatotoo na napakinggan tayo sa mga kasama natin,” said De los Reyes. 

(And Makati is an example, right? Makati is proof because people there get operations in the hospital for a low price. They have little problems there. The children are going to school. There are many people among us who can prove these.)

GMA 7’s Unang Balita reported that El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde is not endorsing any presidential candidate himself. 

Both Vargas and De los Reyes acknowledged this on air, but said that the El Shaddai leader respects the survey results. 

Unlike the Iglesia Ni Cristo bloc vote, this is not binding on the other members who prefer other bets as it is not officially backed by their leader.

The same survey also showed that El Shaddai members are supporting the vice presidential bid of Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

The El Shaddai is also supporting the following candidates for senator: 

• Former Interior Secretary Rafael Alunan III
• Former justice secretary Leila de Lima
• Valenzuela Representative Sherwin Gatchalian
• Senator Teofisto “TG” Guingona III
• Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao
• Former senator Francis Pangilinan
• Senator Ralph Recto
• Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez
• Pasig Representative Roman Romulo
• Ex-Metropolitan Manila Development chief Francis Tolentino
• Former Technical Education and Development Authority chief Joel Villanueva
• Former Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri

Binay says thanks

The Vice President is thankful for getting the support of the El Shaddai congregation. 

“I am grateful and humbled by the endorsement of the members of El Shaddai and to Brother Mike Velarde for giving me the opportunity to speak before his congregation,” said Binay in a statement. 

“Iaalay ko ang isang pamumuno na kumikilala, gumagalang, at tumatalima sa salita ng Panginoon (I will offer a leadership that identifies, respects, and follows the word of God),” he said.

Binay also promised a presidency that “respects the dignity of women, will set a good example for our children, and gives dignity to the poor. 

“‘Yan po ang pamumuno na ibinigay ko sa Makati at aking ibibigay sa ating bansa (That’s the kind of leadership I gave Makati and the same kind I will give to the rest of the country),” said the Vice President. 

Binay’s candidacy was also endorsed by the country’s pro-life groups, including the leading party-list group Buhay Hayaang Yumabong.

The Vice President, however, was not able to get the endorsement of the influential Iglesia ni Cristo, who is supporting current poll front-runner Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. – Rappler.com