MANILA - Politicians and various groups paid tribute to Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) executive minister Eraño 'Ka Erdie' Manalo after they learned of his passing away on Monday afternoon.

One of the first to go to the INC central temple in Quezon City was former Ilocos Norte Rep. Aimee Marcos, whose father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos, was a close ally of Manalo.

Aimee's brother, Rep. Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., expressed the Marcos family's condolences in a statement. He said Manalo's death was a big loss.

"Ang buong pamilya Marcos ay tauspusong nakikiisa at nakikiramay sa pagpanaw ni kapatid na Eraño G. Manalo, ang tagapamahalang pangkalahatan ng Iglesia ni Cristo. Malaking kawalan ang pagpanaw ni kapatid na Manalo na naging bahagi na rin ng ating buhay dahil sa kaniyang pagpapalaganap ng tunay na diwa ng salita ng Diyos," Bongbong said.

Service to humanity, inspiration

In a statement House Speaker Prospero Nograles expressed the House of Representatives' sense of grief over the death of Manalo.

"Executive Minister Erano G. Manalo, lovingly called Ka Erdie, truly lived a full life for God and country. His greatness grew from his humility, love of God and selfless service to humanity," Nograles said.

"He was a man of God whose life and sacrifices will continue to inspire millions of Filipinos and non-Filipinos worldwide to follow and live Christ's life and God's words. He lived to love," he added.

Leftist party-list group Bayan Muna said they join their "INC brothers and sisters in mourning the passing of Eraño 'Ka Erdie' Manalo."

"Ka Erdie, as the INC's longest serving executive minister, was an inspiration to millions of Filipinos and instrumental in expanding this distinct church instituion in the Philippines," Bayan Muna representatives Satur Ocampo, Teodoro Casiño, and Neri Colmenares said.

Influential leader

Presidential aspirant and former Senate President Manuel Villar, described Manalo as "one of the most influential of the country's religious leaders."

He said Manalo's death is "a loss not only to the Iglesia ni Cristo, but also to the entire Filipino nation, for losing one of the prominent figures that people look up for spiritual and moral guidance."

Villar said that "Ka Erdie's demise leaves a void in the leadership of the influential church that would be hard to fill."

However, he expressed confidence that other INC leaders "would be able to carry on the work of Ka Erdie." 

"I am well aware that Ka Erdie was responsible for the phenomenal growth of the INC since the1960s. As such, he has contributed significantly to inculcating a deep sense of spirituality among Filipinos," Villar said.

Awe-inspiring, model land reform

Senator Manuel 'Mar' Roxas, president of the Liberal Party, said "Ka Erdy's passing is a great loss, not only to the Iglesia ni Cristo and its followers but to the entire nation as well." 

"His inspirational leadership and great vision has brought together millions of Filipinos here and abroad through a dedicated ministry of faith and worship," he said.

"Ka Erdy has made the Iglesia ni Cristo to what it is today: awe-inspiring in number, influence and strength. His contributions to his religious family's presence and influence in the national firmament will always be remembered dearly," he added. "I have faith in the capability of the Iglesia ni Cristo to continue forging on and carry on the great vision of Ka Erdy."

Another presidential aspirant, Senator Loren Legarda, said "Ka Erdy embodied the spirituality and religiosity of the Filipino people."

"Ka Erdy particularly spread the concern of the church to the poor, especially the farmers and workers. He established model land reforms in the first resettlement farms in Palayan City and Nueva Ecija in 1965, even before the government formally proclaimed its agrarian reform program," she said.