With the election due on Monday, three huge religious groups –the El Shaddai, Jesus is Lord Church and the Christian Leaders for Good Government- have joined the growing list of groups who have thrown their full trust and support for the reelection bid of Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, citing her integrity, good moral character and good governance, among other qualities that a leader should possess to lead the city in the years to come.
Brother Mike Velarde, founder of the Catholic Charismatic Community El Shaddai which boasts of nine million members nationwide, said that they go for candidates who are truly Godly in their ways and who have strong religious faith.
On the other hand, Jesus is Lord which is founded by Bro. Eddie Villanueva whose legacy is now being continued by Senator Joel Villanueva, also expressed support for the efficient leadership of Lacuna. This Protestant Christian denomination was founded in 1978 in Manila and also has millions as members.
On Thursday, the Christian Leaders for Good Government whose leadership alone is composed of about 500 Baptist and Evangelical pastors from Manila, also backed the candidacy of Lacuna and even prayed over her.
These endorsements followed those made by large groups composed of Muslim communities based in Manila.
Composed of about 3,000 member-leaders, the Sultanate of Phangampong a Pilipinas Da’wah Solidarity Inc. praised the leadership of Lacuna and her programs that benefit all the residents and especially commended the lady mayor’s initiatives in providing the best in health care, education and peace and order in the city.
Prior to this, the United Muslim Community in Manila, also a big group composed of various organizations of Manila-based Muslims, likewise vowed to campaign for Lacuna, citing how her administration looked out for the Muslim communities in the city.
For her part, Lacuna said he is overwhelmed by the support and thanked all five big groups for backing her candidacy and particularly expressed gratitude to the El Shaddai, Jesus is Lord and Christian Leaders for Good Government for having joined the ranks of the United Muslim Community in Manila and the Sultanate of Phangampong a Pilipinas Da’wah Solidarity Inc. in supporting her administration and plans for Manila.
“Maraming, maraming maraming salamat sa inyong pagtitiwala at makakaasa po kayong lahat na hinding-hindi namin kayo pababayaan at lalong-lalo na, hinding-hindi namin kayo iiwan,” the mayor assured them.
In a separate development, the Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (CTAP) composed of thousands of truck owners, operators and workers all based in Manila also endorsed the candidacy of Lacuna, citing how her administration ended their sufferings from unscrupulous traffic enforcers who have been mulcting them for the past several years, starting from the past administration in the city.
