Andrie Hans Bayon

Days before the election, the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), one of the country’s prominent religious group, has officially endorsed eight senatorial candidates across different political parties.

Photo Courtesy of INQUIRER/PNA.

This was confirmed after the sample ballots were distributed on Thursday, four days before the midterm election 2025 on May 12. 

According to the sample ballots released by the organization, it is endorsing the mix of candidates from the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino - Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), and one of its member, Rodante Marcoleta. 

Included in the list are the following candidates:
  • Former Senator Bam Aquino (Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino)
  • Senator Bong Revilla (Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats/Alyansa)
  • Senator Pia Cayetano (Nacionalista Party/Alyansa)
  • Senator Ronald dela Rosa (PDP-Laban)
  • Senator Bong Go (PDP-Laban)
  • Sagip Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta (Independent/PDP)
  • Senator Imee Marcos (Nacionalista Party)
  • Congresswoman Camille Villar (Nacionalista Party/Alyansa)
In response to the INC’s senatorial endorsement, Bam Aquino, senatorial candidate from Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) expressed his gratitude to the religious organization, highlighting his shared commitment with the group in championing initiatives that will uplift the lives of Filipinos. 

“Taos puso po tayong nagpapasalamat sa mga kapatid natin sa Iglesia Ni Cristo sa kanilang opisyal na pag-endorso sa atin sa pagka-Senador. Noon pa man, bukas tayo sa pakikipagtulungan sa lahat para mas maraming mapagtatagumpayan para sa ating bayan.” Aquino said in his Facebook post. 

The INC has been known for its bloc voting, usually completing a full slate of 12. However, this time, only eight out of 66 candidates were endorsed by the religious group. 

Several candidates also gave appreciation amidst the organization’s senatorial endorsement. Bong Revilla, one of the senatorial aspirants endorsed by INC, expressed his thanks in his Facebook live stream on Thursday amid his reelection bid. 

"Maraming salamat po kay Kapatid na Eduardo Manalo at buong Iglesia Ni Cristo sa inyong patuloy na tiwala sa akin, tungo sa inyong naging kapasyahan na ako po'y muli ninyong suportahan sa ating pagpapatuloy manilbihan sa bayan," Revilla said in a statement.

Founded in 1914 by Felix Manalo, INC is a religious movement whose members are believed to obey long-held bloc voting practices inside their church and vote for candidates endorsed by their leaders.

With millions of members nationwide, endorsement from the INC has always been believed to be influential, especially for candidates running for top government positions.