In Chess, the bishop, is considered an important piece, for other than the Queen, the bishop can control the diagonal squares of the chessboard; it has a large span of control covering the diagonals of the board and is even valued more than a knight.
In Philippine Politics, the bishops or leaders of the various churches also cut across the diagonals of the Philippine Social Strata and in some instances exercise influence if not control over a part of the voting population. Although the Constitution enshrines that the State and Church shall be separate but history has shown that the constitutional precept is more honored in breach than in compliance.
In the hope of influencing the bishops or church leaders in their favor the various presidential candidates have taken pains to address the churches’ concerns such as the RH bill and condoms; they have attended church sponsored forums, debates and even birthdays of church leaders. An observer of Philippine Politics will admit that the list of churches and religious movements believed to be exercising voting control over it members or suggestive influence on its followers are as follows: The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC); The Kingdom of Jesus Christ of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy; The El Shaddai; The Catholic Church; and the Evangelical and Protestant Churches.
The Iglesia ni Cristo has been a growing presence in Philippine Politics. The one vote of the INC as an expression of church unity has made the church a factor in the elections and has prompted many politicians to seek its support and favor. The church’s membership through out the country translates into about 2 million solid votes for the 2010 elections. (As per the estimate of Mr. EMIL JURADO, Manila Standard, April 20, 2010).
The Kingdom of Jesus Christ of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy boasts a world wide membership of 6 million and a probable command vote of about a million votes. Pastor Quiboloy’s visions of Cory requesting for support of her son and his own mother asking for support in favor of Manny Villar is proof of life beyond the grave and gives a new meaning to long distance communication. The presidential candidates have boosted the stock of Pastor Quiboloy by trooping to his mountain headquarters in Davao for his support and blessing during his presidential forum and on his birthday.
The El Shaddai and Bro. Mike Velarde does not boast of a command vote; but compared to the mainline Catholic and Evangelical Protestant Churches, it is believed that Bro. Mike has a very persuasive influence on the members of his flock. An influence recognized and may be even envied by the bishops of the Catholic Church and much sought by the politicians.
To date none of these groups have outwardly committed to support any candidate; the Iglesia ni Cristo is in the process of consulting its ministers and will release its list of endorsements about two (2) weeks before the elections. Pastor Quiboloy is waiting from word from the Father while Bro. Mike appears to have chosen Manny Villar during a rally in Hong Kong.
The mainstream Catholic Church has chosen to consistently suggest a standard to judge and choose a candidate instead of supporting a particular candidate. The Catholic Church’s strength has weakened since the demise of Cardinal Sin and the subdivision of the Archdiocese of Manila. The Catholic Church speaks with the many voices of its bishops and priests; often countering each other as was observed during much of the administration of President Gloria Arroyo; the result is more of the cacophony of the market place rather than a choir in the loft of the cathedral.
The Evangelical and Protestant Churches vote will depend on the particular church but it appears no single church leader or bishop exercises a command vote or influence other than perhaps presidential candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva and only as to members of the Jesus Is Lord Fellowship and affiliate organizations. It is note worthy that almost all throughout the campaign Bro. Eddie Villanueva has maintained a consistent 2-3% support of the voting population. The questions that must be asked and answered are if these the numbers of his religious flock and will they vote for the president he endorses should he choose to withdraw.
The survey firms appear not to have asked their respondents if they fall within these command votes which are awaiting word from their religious superiors and therefore there is a very real possibility that the effect of these command votes were not factored into the surveys and that the full strength of these votes have not been tallied and accounted for. The undecided votes in the surveys amount to about 4.5 million votes; which may play a decisive role in a close election and just give the front runners a nasty surprise.
The remaining ten (10) days to the election, has seen a lot of back door lobbying among the churches and religious movements. The article by columnist and political operator LITO BANAYO in the Malaya Business Insight, p. B4; is an eye opener on the backdoor machinations to bring the bishops to play on the chessboard of Philippine Politics.
The moral of the story is that an astute presidential candidate will not neglect the bishops in the presidential chess game; a candidate who refuses to raise his hands in prayer or go to the mountain as the prophet Mohammed did; might find himself without heavenly aid, specially during the last days of the campaign; when he will need it.
About the author: juan cezar hualberto
sevilla, ilocos sur
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The Catholic Church must not poke its nose on Politics. They should look into their own backyards. Priest Child Molesters are the issues of the day for the Church. These Child Molesters are portected by their Superiors. Pope Benedict XVI, himself covered a Child Molestation case. When he was not yet a Pope.
As Jesus Christ has stated: “You look at the dirt on your Brother’s eye.
Yet, you don’t see the beam on your own eye. Remove first the beam on your eye before, you can deal with the dirt of your Brother’s eye.”
Other Churches like the Iglesia Ni Kristo. That sells its members’ votes to Politicians, are not living to their true calling in religion…
Nick Perlas is the only one brave enough to say that the over quarter-a-million-a-year abortion procedures should be moved out of dirty room with quacks using clothes hangers and some herbs and into selected hospitals and/or clinics. Translation : none of the bishops will endorse Nick.
Now, a few of the bishops are just like other Pinoys who prefer to be able to say that they have a winner choice (Translation : none will choose Jamby, none will choose Gordon).