THE Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) has shifted its political support in Misamis Oriental’s First District, endorsing the candidacy of Atty. Karen Lagbas for district representative, according to former Kinoguitan Mayor Lilibeth Lagbas, Karen’s sister-in-law.
The influential religious group had backed incumbent Congressman Christian Unabia in the last two elections.
However, for the May 12 polls, INC is now supporting Karen Lagbas, who is running under the National Unity Party (NUP).
Lagbas expressed gratitude for the endorsement, saying she was honored to receive support from the INC.
Sources close to the religious group revealed that INC’s decision to drop Unabia stemmed from his signing of the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte. This move reportedly influenced the church’s withdrawal of support for his reelection bid.
INC also withheld its endorsement of Governor Peter Unabia, who is seeking reelection under the Paglaum Padayon banner. The reason for this decision remains undisclosed, according to Board Member Marlon Kho.
Despite this, several Paglaum Padayon candidates retained the church’s backing, including re-electionist Vice Governor Jeremy Jonahmar Pelaez, board members Rey Buhisan, Jabi Bernaldez, and Kho himself, as well as first-time board member candidate Roy Aniscal.
Paglaum Padayon candidate Rommel Maslog, however, was not included in the INC's endorsement list.
In the same district, INC endorsed NUP candidate Jerry Khu for board member, Kho confirmed.
The religious group also endorsed NUP’s Juliette Uy for governor and her husband, former Vice Governor Julio Uy, who is running for mayor of Villanueva town.
INC’s support also went to incumbent mayors Alexis Quina of Balingasag and Danilo Lagbas Jr. of Kinoguitan, it was learned.
