OPINION
Ed Javier
Betrayal Has A Price. Iglesia Ni Cristo Must Hold The Disloyal Accountable
Photo credit: INC
As the May 12 elections approach, politicians across the country are growing increasingly desperate.
One of the most awaited developments is the issuance of the Iglesia ni Cristo's (INC) "kalatas," the official notice or list of candidates whom the Church will support.
Traditionally released only a few days before election day, the kalatas has always been a gamechanger, shaping the outcomes of tight races and elevating leaders who honor their word.
The Iglesia ni Cristo, with an estimated 2.5 to 3 million solid voters, remains a crucial force in Philippine elections.
Their unity at the polls has helped decide the fate of countless candidates from local officials to presidents. Politicians know this well.
That is why every election season, many scramble to court the Church’s support, knowing it can make or break their ambitions.
This year, however, the stakes are far higher and the Iglesia faces a pivotal choice that could define its future strength and unity.
Recent events have exposed the depth of political treachery.
Despite the clear and public stand of the Iglesia against moves like the politically motivated impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte and the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte under foreign dictates, several politicians including many who previously sought the INC’s endorsement brazenly turned their backs on the Church’s principles.
Among those who signed the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte are party-list representatives Stephen Paduano of Abang Lingkod, Jude Acidre of Tingog, Raul Bongalon of Ako Bicol, Marcelino Libanan of 4Ps and Presley De Jesus of Philreca.
District congressmen such as Edwin Olivarez and Gus Tambunting of Parañaque, Roland Valeriano, Joel Chua, Benny Abante of Manila, Mannix Dalipe of Zamboanga, Ann Matibag of Laguna, Jeanette Garin of Iloilo, Pablo Ortega of La Union, and Stella Quimbo of Marikina, to name a few, also affixed their names to this disloyalty.
Although many of the 215 congressmen who supported these moves are running unopposed, perhaps explaining why they arrogantly believed they no longer needed INC support, the Iglesia should give them a lesson too.
Maybe not now, but certainly in the future.
This is not the last election. Those who turned their backs on the Iglesia ni Cristo today may survive May 12 but they should remember: time changes, and loyalty, once broken, is not easily forgiven.
There will always be another election, and when that day comes, the reckoning may be even harsher.
Many of these representatives, who did not think twice about defying Iglesia ni Cristo’s public appeals for fairness, sovereignty, and integrity are now shamelessly sending letters, emissaries, and feelers to seek INC's blessing once again for their candidacies.
The Church cannot allow this hypocrisy to go unanswered. They must not only be denied support, their opponents must be actively endorsed and empowered.
No amount of political maneuvering, no recycled promises, no late apologies should erase the fact that when the moment of truth came, they chose ambition over loyalty, political expediency over principle.
If the Iglesia ni Cristo allows these politicians to run circles around it, it risks weakening itself in ways far more dangerous than a lost election.
It sends the wrong message that betrayal has no consequence, that unity can be exploited, and that principles are negotiable.
It emboldens future politicians to dismiss INC's stand as mere noise, to disrespect its role as a moral force, and to undermine its influence at every turn.
Every act of betrayal ignored or tolerated chips away at the integrity that the Church has built for generations.
It weakens the collective voice of the kapatid and insults the sacrifices made by members who have fought to keep the Iglesia ni Cristo strong, respected, and dignified in the face of every storm.
The same holds true for senatorial candidates who either supported or encouraged the impeachment move or backed those who sided with hostile forces.
They too must feel the full weight of the Iglesia's resolve not just through a withdrawal of support, but through the active, united power of the INC's voice at the ballot box.
Betrayal is betrayal and those who betray the Iglesia must face the consequences. No second chances. No exceptions.
This election is not just about choosing leaders. It is about defending principles that cannot be sold or negotiated away.
It is about sending a message so loud and clear that no politician, no matter how ambitious, will ever again dare to take the Iglesia ni Cristo for granted.
To forgive betrayal is to weaken the Church.
To fight back is to strengthen it, to protect the unity, dignity, and honor that generations of Iglesia members have built with sacrifice and faith.
The kalatas must not only name those who deserve victory. It must also deliver justice to those who deserve defeat.
This May 12, let the kalatas speak, not only with names, but with the thunder of a people who know that loyalty is sacred, and betrayal has a price.
One of the most awaited developments is the issuance of the Iglesia ni Cristo's (INC) "kalatas," the official notice or list of candidates whom the Church will support.
Traditionally released only a few days before election day, the kalatas has always been a gamechanger, shaping the outcomes of tight races and elevating leaders who honor their word.
The Iglesia ni Cristo, with an estimated 2.5 to 3 million solid voters, remains a crucial force in Philippine elections.
Their unity at the polls has helped decide the fate of countless candidates from local officials to presidents. Politicians know this well.
That is why every election season, many scramble to court the Church’s support, knowing it can make or break their ambitions.
This year, however, the stakes are far higher and the Iglesia faces a pivotal choice that could define its future strength and unity.
Recent events have exposed the depth of political treachery.
Despite the clear and public stand of the Iglesia against moves like the politically motivated impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte and the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte under foreign dictates, several politicians including many who previously sought the INC’s endorsement brazenly turned their backs on the Church’s principles.
Among those who signed the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte are party-list representatives Stephen Paduano of Abang Lingkod, Jude Acidre of Tingog, Raul Bongalon of Ako Bicol, Marcelino Libanan of 4Ps and Presley De Jesus of Philreca.
District congressmen such as Edwin Olivarez and Gus Tambunting of Parañaque, Roland Valeriano, Joel Chua, Benny Abante of Manila, Mannix Dalipe of Zamboanga, Ann Matibag of Laguna, Jeanette Garin of Iloilo, Pablo Ortega of La Union, and Stella Quimbo of Marikina, to name a few, also affixed their names to this disloyalty.
Although many of the 215 congressmen who supported these moves are running unopposed, perhaps explaining why they arrogantly believed they no longer needed INC support, the Iglesia should give them a lesson too.
Maybe not now, but certainly in the future.
This is not the last election. Those who turned their backs on the Iglesia ni Cristo today may survive May 12 but they should remember: time changes, and loyalty, once broken, is not easily forgiven.
There will always be another election, and when that day comes, the reckoning may be even harsher.
Many of these representatives, who did not think twice about defying Iglesia ni Cristo’s public appeals for fairness, sovereignty, and integrity are now shamelessly sending letters, emissaries, and feelers to seek INC's blessing once again for their candidacies.
The Church cannot allow this hypocrisy to go unanswered. They must not only be denied support, their opponents must be actively endorsed and empowered.
No amount of political maneuvering, no recycled promises, no late apologies should erase the fact that when the moment of truth came, they chose ambition over loyalty, political expediency over principle.
If the Iglesia ni Cristo allows these politicians to run circles around it, it risks weakening itself in ways far more dangerous than a lost election.
It sends the wrong message that betrayal has no consequence, that unity can be exploited, and that principles are negotiable.
It emboldens future politicians to dismiss INC's stand as mere noise, to disrespect its role as a moral force, and to undermine its influence at every turn.
Every act of betrayal ignored or tolerated chips away at the integrity that the Church has built for generations.
It weakens the collective voice of the kapatid and insults the sacrifices made by members who have fought to keep the Iglesia ni Cristo strong, respected, and dignified in the face of every storm.
The same holds true for senatorial candidates who either supported or encouraged the impeachment move or backed those who sided with hostile forces.
They too must feel the full weight of the Iglesia's resolve not just through a withdrawal of support, but through the active, united power of the INC's voice at the ballot box.
Betrayal is betrayal and those who betray the Iglesia must face the consequences. No second chances. No exceptions.
This election is not just about choosing leaders. It is about defending principles that cannot be sold or negotiated away.
It is about sending a message so loud and clear that no politician, no matter how ambitious, will ever again dare to take the Iglesia ni Cristo for granted.
To forgive betrayal is to weaken the Church.
To fight back is to strengthen it, to protect the unity, dignity, and honor that generations of Iglesia members have built with sacrifice and faith.
The kalatas must not only name those who deserve victory. It must also deliver justice to those who deserve defeat.
This May 12, let the kalatas speak, not only with names, but with the thunder of a people who know that loyalty is sacred, and betrayal has a price.
Apr 26, 2025
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