Abigail Binay gets Iglesia Ni Cristo endorsement

Reelectionist Makati Mayor Abigail Binay was endorsed by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), a religious organization which is known to practice bloc voting.

Abigail is up against her own brother former mayor Junjun Bunay, who according to surveys, is her toughest opponent for the mayoral post.

During a recent forum, the rivalry between the siblings escalated into a heated exchange.

INC also endorsed reelectionists Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo and Congressman Luis Campos, and Abigail’s father, former Vice President Jejomar Binay who is running for congressman in the first district.

She thanked the religious group for supporting her and all the candidates under the banner of Team Performance.

“I am very grateful to the INC, which is under the leadership of Brother Eduardo Manalo, for your continuous support and coordination with us in order to achieve our beautiful plans for Makati and for all residents here,” she said.

“We in Team Performance are elated that you are one with us in our goal of establishing a prosperous, convenient, and peaceful living for Makati residents. You can expect that fortify more the bond between INC and the local government,” Abigail added.

The former Vice President also expressed gratitude to INC for its endorsement and vowed to increase programs for education, health, and livelihood for Makati residents.

“I am thankful to INC for once again supporting my candidacy. You can expect that I will push for the welfare and rights of all Makati residents, including your members, at the Congress, and I will also increase programs for education, health, and livelihood,” the Binay patriarch said.

INC has also endorsed the following candidates for city councilor in District 1: Martin Arenas, VirJhong Hilario, Jojo Javier, Armand Padilla, Joey Villena, and Alcine Ichi Yabut.

For District 2 councilors, it endorsed Dennis Almario, Doris Arayon, Bong Ariones, Bodik Baniqued, Sammy Cruz, and Ina Sarosa.

Meanwhile, several organized groups representing various sectors in Makati have come forward and endorsed Mayor Abby and her entire Team Performance slate, declaring their full support in the upcoming elections.

These include Tropang Makati consisting of former supporters of Kid Peña (Tropang Kid) who are now backing the mayor and the candidacy of her father, former Vice President Jejomar Binay, as Congressman of the first district.

Other endorsers of Team Performance include 100 percent of the JODA membership of the United Transport Federation of Makati (UTFM) and 62 out of 65 TODA members of the Makati Tricycle Federation (MATRIFED) from the public transport sector, vendors associations, homeowners associations, LGBT community, senior citizens councils, and women’s groups.

Mayor Abby said she was gratified by the endorsement of the said sectors, and thanked them for having put their faith in her leadership.