Religious groups' endorsements may come with a price, analysts say

In the homestretch to the May 10 elections, religious groups Iglesia ni Cristo and Kingdom of Jesus Christ have declared the presidential candidate they are backing. This weekend, the El Shaddai movement is set to announce who it will endorse. Iglesia ni Cristo has picked Sen. Benigno Aquino III while KJC leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy has endorsed administration bet Gilberto Teodoro Jr. The El Shaddai is perceived to be supporting Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. because of his close ties with the group's leader, Mariano "Mike" Velarde. Religious groups said they choose their presidential bets because of their competence and moral credibility. But on Thursday, two political analysts said there could be other reasons. "Ang isang religious group, kapag pumasok sa pulitika ay namumulitika. Usually may kapalit iyan (When religious groups enter politics, they are politicking. Usually, they ask for something in return for their endorsements)," said Institute of Political and Electoral Reform head Ramon Casiple in an interview on GMA's Unang Hirit. While he did not elaborate, University of the Philippines political science professor Clarita Carlos said religious leaders could be asking for plum government positions. "When they endorse a candidate, they have expectations. We have to see them as special interest groups," Carlos said in the same interview with news anchor Arnold Clavio.

On democracy Carlos also expressed worry that religious endorsements could undermine voters' right to choose the country's leaders, especially when their religious groups impose their choices for president. The political science professor said the religious groups' choice must not come from their leaders alone. "Kung isang cabal lang o maliit na kadre [ang pumili] at saka lang sinabi [sa mga miyembro] ni 'Hoy, ito iyong ating iboto,' parang antithetical ito sa ating demokrasya. Saklaw na saklaw mo pag-iisip ng iyong flock," she said. (If only a cabal or a cadre of leaders picked the candidate and told their followers, 'This is who should vote for,' I think it's antithetical to our democracy. You have a tight hold on how your flock thinks.) On the other hand, Carlos said religious groups could provide the moral compass for candidates. "To be fair to these groups, these are religious. They are not the mafia. They can provide the moral guidance and be watchdogs. They can tell the leaders, 'We anointed you. Why are you going against our principles,'" she added. — RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV