MANILA - The death of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) leader Eraño “Ka Erdie” Manalo will not affect the religious group's long-standing tradition of bloc voting in the polls.

Members of the House of Representatives interviewed by abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak said they were confident that the INC doctrine of unity as applied in elections is deeply entrenched and will continue no matter who leads them.

Manalo died on Monday due to cardiopulmonary arrest. He was 84.

“I don't think they will change their policy. It will continue because it's a doctrine of the church that they support one candidate,” said Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona. He was supported by the INC in the last two elections.

“Their policies and regulations are secure even when leaders change. It's been a long tradition. They have a well established process,” added Baguio Rep. Mauricio Domogan. Domogan has been supported by the INC since his mayoralty bid in 1992.  

“I think his successor will adopt the same policy to keep them united,” said Cebu Rep. Antonio Cuenco.

Ka Eduardo

While there are no announcements yet, Ka Erdie's son, Eduardo, is believed to be his successor. Many are confident he will continue INC policies.

Eduardo has served as the church's deputy executive minister since 2005. It is the same position Ka Erdie assumed before he succeeded his father and church founder Felix Manalo in 1953. Felix died in 1963.

“His son Ka Eduardo was already active in running things. They have a system where their local heads report and coordinate with the national, but as you know, that's just my guess because it is a closed system, and I'm not privy to what goes on inside,” said Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara.

Bloc Vote

The INC is said to have more than 5,000 congregations in the Philippines and about 600 abroad. The group is estimated to have two to three million voters.

While the INC's support is not a sure ticket to winning an election, it plays a deciding role in close races. It is particularly crucial in local elections where the contest is decided by few hundred or thousand votes or less.

A third term congressman, Madrona said the 6,000-strong members of INC in Romblon were his big advantage in the past two elections. The province has around 130,000 voters. He was not supported by the INC in his first try in the congressional race.

“Natulungan tayo ng malaki. Ako ang nadadala since my second term,” Madrona said.

Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez, Isabela Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao, and Domogan said the INC was crucial in their political victories.

“The Iglesia ni Cristo, thru the late executive minister Ka Erdie Manalo, helped me win in all my congressional elections,” said Golez.

“I owe so much to the INC because they have helped me in my political career. Since I entered politics in 1992, they have always supported me. I started as board member of Isabela,” said Aggabao.

“I was one of those na talagang pinili ng INC. Talagang maganda naman ng selection process. You know how disciplined the INC members are. The have the process of screening your personal qualifications, your private life, and your public life. I salute the process,” said Domogan.