Bro. Eddie Villanueva Gets Support from Diverse Religious Groups

MANILA, Philippines - Senatorial candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva expressed confidence that he will make it to the top 12 in the senatorial race in the 2013 Philippine midterm elections.

The Bangon Pilipinas candidate, who founded the Christian sect Jesus is Lord Church in 1978, received support from various religious and socio-political organizations. He expressed his earnest gratitude to those who supports his candidacy during his miting de avance which was held at the Quezon City Circle last Saturday, May 11. 

The Journal Online reports that Villanueva's advocacy of pushing for righteous governance topped by eradicating corruption along with policies to make the poor benefit from sustained economic growth are the common goals that unite all sectors that are behind him. “There is unity in diversity,” he said.

Many religious groups showed their support to the Bangon Pilipinas senatorial candidate’s bid. These religious groups who endorsed him yesterday include Members Church of God International, colloquially known as "Ang Dating Daan", and Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ or "Fourth Watch". The leaders of these two Christian sects, namely Bro. Eli Soriano and Arsenio Ferriol, respectively, claim that they believe in the advocacy of the senatorial candidate. Soriano, who leads the independent Dating Daan sect, was reported to have said that he is willing to set aside religious differences in order to promote a peaceful country.

The Catholic Church, whose prelates and other clergymen are allowed to voice out their political preferences, has some clergymen who support Villanueva. "Catholic prelate Ricardo Cardinal Vidal also encouraged Villanueva to pursue his advocacy in the Senate when the two met earlier this year." the Journal Online reports.

Secular associations and groups that endorsed him include the Philippine Hospital Association and the Private Hospital Association of the Philippines and the senior citizens’ group led by former Sen. Eddie Ilarde.

- PNK (Pluma ng Kalikasan), Uploaded May 12, 2013 5:11PM (GMT+8)