After the Iglesia ni Cristo, another major church organization is endorsing the candidacy of senatorial aspirant Jejomar Binay.
The former vice president got the endorsement from the Council of Bishops of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), one of the largest Protestant churches organization in the country.
The declaration of endorsement for Binay and several other candidates was signed by UCCP General Secretary Melzar Labuntog, bishops from six regional jurisdictional areas, and 14 emeritus bishops.
The declaration, signed on May 1, was released May 4.
The UCCP leadership cited Binay’s “proven integrity and commitment” and expressed confidence he would push a “pro-people agenda” in the Senate.
Binay thanked the UCCP leadership for their endorsement. “I am grateful to the UCCP for its endorsement, and for the long years of partnership in promoting and protecting the people’s interests,” he said.
“The challenges of rebuilding our country from the pandemic and restoring the people’s dignity would require nothing less than the convergence of goals from the widest alliance of groups and personalities,” he added.
Aside from legislative measures that would ensure government aid for sectors affected by the pandemic, Binay had said he will move to provide more protection for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), extend more benefits for students, and strengthen the public health system.
He will also pursue amendments to the Local Government Code to give local executives greater flexibility in addressing the needs of their constituents.
Earlier, Binay received the support of the Iglesia ni Cristo, and the Makabayan bloc, a group of progressive lawmakers, as well as local officials and political leaders led by former President and Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Binay is running for senator under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).
He is a guest candidate in the senatorial tickets of Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Manny Pacquiao, and Senator Ping Lacson.
Sara Duterte, former Davao city mayor and the running mate of former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has also expressed her support for Binay’s candidacy
