A social media post claims candidates for president endorsed by the Iglesia ni Cristo always win. It does not say that some INC-backed candidates lost.
CLAIM: Candidates for president endorsed by the INC win in the election
RATING: MISSING CONTEXT
Cebu Flash Report, a Facebook page that describes itself as the “#1 Citizen News page, updated 24/7 from the people,” shared a post showing the names of presidential candidates and how an Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) endorsement helped them win the presidency. It provided links to reputable news websites to back up its claim.
So does that mean that the INC endorsement ensures a win? Not always. Cebu Flash Report’s claim needs more context.
While Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Benigno S. Aquino III and Rodrigo Duterte were endorsed by the INC and eventually won the presidency, the post did not take into account other candidates that the religious group had endorsed but lost in the election.
In 1949, the INC endorsed Jose Avelino for president, but he lost to President Elpidio Quirino.
In 1992, the INC endorsed Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, Jr. for president, but he lost to eventual winner Fidel V. Ramos.
The INC’s endorsement did not help its vice-presidential bets win their respective races.
In 2010, the INC endorsed vice president Manuel “Mar” Roxas III for vice president. He lost to Jejomar Binay.
In 2016, the church endorsed Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for vice president, but he lost to Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo.
Public opinion researcher Oscar Lagman Jr., in an Inquirer opinion piece titled “The INC Endorsement Myth,” said the INC endorses only those candidates leading in the polls.
“The candidates it endorsed in 2019 would have won with or without its endorsement as they were really the people’s choice as the surveys indicated. Jinggoy Estrada was among the 12 senatorial candidates it endorsed but he lost. Koko Pimentel was re-elected senator even without the vaunted INC endorsement,” he wrote.
Lagman Jr.’s conclusion to his article may well likely be our conclusion to Cebu Flash Report’s misleading post: The Iglesia Ni Cristo’s endorsement as the deciding factor in a candidate’s success is a myth. — Rommel F. Lopez
This fact-check was produced by PressOne.PH as part of a fact-checking grant from the Philippine Fact-Checker Incubator (PFCI) Project. The PFCI supports news organizations to allow them to meet global fact-checking standards under the International Fact-Checking Network’s Code of Principles.
PressOne.PH believes that fact-checking is essential to combating misinformation and disinformation, and in informing and educating citizens and voters. Read more of PressOne.PH’s Fact-Checking Policy by clicking here.
The public is welcome to send feedback or requests for fact-checks at news@pressone.ph.
FACT-CHECK: Interaction between lawmaker and Ong happened in House, not Senate
A Facebook “reel” falsely claimed that the interaction between Rep. Dan Fernandez and a suspected Philippine offshore gaming operator, Cassandra Ong, happened in the Senate.
FACT-CHECK: Online health advocate Doc Willie is still alive
Facebook page “Showbizfinds” falsely claimed that Filipino health advocate and former vice presidential candidate Dr. Willie Ong had passed away, allegedly due to complications from his illness.
FACT-CHECK: Photo of an airport in West PH Sea is fake
A Facebook user posted a reel containing a photo of a supposed airport and falsely claimed that it was located in the West Philippine Sea.