MANILA, Philippines – Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Manuel Roxas
II is optimistic that he will win the presidential race even without the
endorsement of the bloc-voting religious group Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).
The INC is said to be capable of delivering 2 million votes to the
candidates it is supporting. The group has yet to announce the
candidates it will endorse for the upcoming polls as of Monday.
When asked in an interview Monday if his support base is strong enough
to propel him to victory even without an INC endorsement, Roxas said: “I
believe so.”
When asked how this would happen, the LP presidential candidate replied: “Why would I tell my secret to you?”
Roxas stressed that an endorsement is something freely given.
“I don’t know to whom they (INC) will give it (endorsement). I am
operating (with the assumption) that it’s just a plus if it comes. If
not, we cannot force them to side with something that they do not like,”
he added.
Roxas also declined to comment on President Aquino’s meeting with INC leaders on Monday.
“It’s between them,” he said.
Roxas met with the INC at least twice during the campaign period. The
first meeting was held on March 30 while the second one happened last
April 19.
Roxas, however, was tight-lipped on what transpired during the
meetings, merely saying that the dialogues were an opportunity to
present his platform.
INC endorsed then presidential aspirant Sen. Benigno Aquino III and his running mate Roxas during the 2010 polls.
Aquino emerged victorious while Roxas lost the vice presidential race to then Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay.
Last year, Roxas urged participants of an INC rally to avoid blocking
roads and reminded them that their event should not cause inconvenience
to motorists.
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