Most Iglesia members usually solid behind their church's political bets 

Most members of influential Iglesia ni Cristo support the endorsed candidate of their church, GMA News reported via its evening newscast, State of the Nation with Jessica Soho on the NewsTV channel.

 

The report of Cedric Castillo said that in the 2010 presidential elections 85 percent of Iglesia members backed the candidacy of then presidential candidate Benigno Aquino III, who was endorsed by the church's leaders.

 

An Iglesia Ni Cristo member who asked not to be identified, told GMA News that his church plays a significant role in choosing the candidates its members vote for. 

 

According to Jun, the Iglesia ni Cristo who asked not to be identified, a sample ballot is handed out to members during worship as the election day nears. The sample ballot indicates the candidates who got the endorsement of the Church's leaders. 

 

“Pagkamalapit na po yung botohan saka isi-circular...Sa pagsamba po sini-circular na ganito, iikot yung mga may tungkulin na iaabot na lang po sa amin yung sample ballot,” he said. 

 

“Una sa taas, tapos 'yung mga gobernador, mayor, tapos mga senator,” Jun said, adding that the list even includes candidates running for councilor. 

 

Citing data from GMA News Research, the report said Iglesia ni Cristo supported the late Ferdinand Marcos in the 1986 snap elections. Many of its members however supported the candidacy of former President Corazon Aquino.

 

In the 1992 elections, another losing candidate also got the support of the Iglesia ni Cristo - businessman Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. It was Fidel Ramos who won the 1992 presidential polls. 

 

The Iglesia ni Cristo also supported the candidacy of ousted President Joseph “Erap” Estrada in the 1998 elections. — Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/ELR, GMA News