Iglesia Ni Cristo endorses mixed slate for Cebu City in 2019 elections

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, who is running for mayor under the Partido Barug-PDP Laban, (5th from left) and his runningmate, former mayor Michael “Mike” Rama, (4th from left) and six Partido Barug councilors are being endorsed by Iglesia Ni Cristo. | Contributed photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, who is running for mayor under Partido Barug-PDP Laban, and his running mate, Michael “Mike” Rama, have been endorsed by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), assuring them of almost 20,000 “sure” votes from the religious institution.

Rama also said that six other Partido Barug candidates for councilor were also endorsed by the INC.

They are  Antonio “Tony” Cuenco, Gerard Carillo, Donaldo Hontiveros, Raymond Garcia, Eduardo Rama, Jr., and Niña Mabatid.

Rama, however, said that although the INC endorsement would ensure them a huge support from an institution whose members deliver block votes, it could not still guarantee a sure win to any of the candidates as proven in the past elections when unendorsed candidates won.

“It is an honor to be endorsed by the INC and I know it will boost our campaign,” said Rama.

Read more: Duterte affirms support for Partido Barug in Labella’s Palace visit

Labella, for his part, said that he was grateful for the trust and confidence that INC had provided him, his running mate, and other party mates.

“Daghan kaayong salamat sa pagsalig, INC. (Thank you so much for the trust, INC). I am deeply honored and at the same time, humbled,” said Labella.

Labella was endorsed for vice mayor by the INC during the 2016 elections along with incumbent Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who is running against Labella under his own Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK). 

They both won the election. The INC’s support was not exclusive for Partido Barug as they also supported the BO-PK candidates for Cebu City Representatives in both the North and South Districts along with at least seven BO-PK councilorial candidates.

Read more: Tom O appeals to supporters at proclamation rally: Vote straight for BO-PK

BO-PK’s reelectionist, Councilor Sisinio Andales, confirmed to CDN Digital that both reelectionist Congressmen Raul del Mar of the North District and Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa of the South District, were endorsed by the INC.

Together with Andales, councilorial candidates Leah Japson, Alvin Arcilla, Alvin Dizon, Jerry Guardo, Roberto Cabarrubias, and Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba.

Andales said that he was honored to be part of INC’s slate as it would assure them of “sure” votes in the upcoming election.

However, Andales said that the results would fall on the hands of the voters of the Cebu City who are a mixed group in terms of religious, political, and social affiliations.

“At the end of the day, we will only find out who will win after all Cebuanos have voted,” said Andales./dbs