Re-electionist Senators Cynthia Villar and Koko Pimentel thanked a group of bishops for supporting their bid for a second term in Senate.
The Independent Bishops Conference of the Philippines (IBCP) on Wednesday declared their support for 12 senatorial candidates amid the upcoming election day.
The group listed mostly bets of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), including Villar, Pimentel, Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito, Sen. Nancy Binay, former special assistant to the president Christoher Go, former police chief Ronald dela Rosa, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, former senator Ramon Revilla Jr., Taguig Representative Pia Cayetano, and former presidential polical adviser Francis Tolentino.
Two of the IBCP’s picks, on the other hand, were from the opposition Otso Diretso slate: Sen. Bam Aquino and former Interior Sec. Mar Roxas.
“This is indeed a big boost to my candidacy. I thank the bishops and their flock for their support. The endorsement further inspires me to devote my life in helping our poor brothers and sisters through legislations, advocacies, projects and programs,” Villar said in a statement Thursday.
Villar, in thanking the IBCP, said it is important to serve the people “regardless of religious beliefs and denomination.”
Pimentel, meanwhile, took to his official Twitter page to thank the group.
“Maraming salamat po IBCP for your endorsement,” he said.
The IBCP is a group of 187 priests from various Christian groups nationwide and vocally supports the leadership of President Duterte.
IBCP president Bishop Efraim Perez said they chose candidates who would work with the administration to help Duterte’s visions.
As for Aquino and Roxas, Perez said they chose the two opposition senatorial bets for their track record.
Meanwhile, Ejercito bared on Wednesday that he failed to secure the support of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) for this year’s midterm elections.
Despite this, the reelectionist lawmaker said he remains hopeful that he would get a second Senate term.
“Even if I didn’t get the INC’s endorsement this time, I am still thankful to the organization for all the support through several elections from 2001 up to 2013,” Ejercito wrote on Twitter.
“But spirits are high and we will continue to fight until the end!” he added.
Candidates have been seeking the endorsement of the INC, whose members are known to practice bloc-voting.
The religious sect has yet to officially announce the senatorial candidates it will support for the May 13 polls. (Vanne Elaine Terrazola)
