Marikina lawmaker wants Commonwealth Ave renamed after Iglesia ni Cristo leader

A lawmaker has proposed the renaming of Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City to Eraño G. Manalo Avenue, after the leader of the Iglesia ni Cristo religious group.

“Considering that the historical tapestry of Commonwealth Avenue is interwoven with the Iglesia ni Cristo under the dynamic leadership of Ka Erdy and considering his contribution to nation-building, it is only fitting that Ka Erdy be recognized where his heritage is deeply rooted,” said Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo on Wednesday in filing House Bill 3673.

Quimbo is hoping the name change could be enacted before the Iglesia ni Cristo's centennial celebration on July 27. “I hope my colleagues will act on this the soonest in time for their Centennial Celebration,” he said.

The Iglesia ni Cristo, which practices bloc voting during elections, has an estimated 5 to 8 million votes out of 52 million registered voters nationwide, a reason why some politicians have been known to woo the group prior to election.

Quimbo's was not the first bill filed seeking to rename Commonwealth Avenue, dubbed as the “killer highway” due to the number of accidents there every year.

The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives had earlier proposed renaming Commonwealth Avenue to Senator Lorenzo Tañada Avenue in honor of Tanada’s “unblemished record” of public service and “selfless contributions” to the nation.

They said Tañada, the longest serving senator in Philippine history, is most deserving to have his name enshrined for posterity in the main avenue that leads to the House of Representatives.

“His whole life is a compelling testament to that one cause he considered 'worthy of all sacrifice-Philippine nationalism.' He passionately advocated nationalism as 'the most potent instrument in asserting the dignity of the people and the sovereignty of the nation.' For him, no nation can survive or rise to greatness, let alone prosper or progress, without nationalist citizens and officials,” the Makabayan bloc said in filing HB 3439. — Patricia Denise Chiu/KBK, GMA News