Manalo’s son seen as next Iglesia chief

THE leadership of the politically influential Iglesia Ni Cristo is expected to pass to Eduardo Manalo, 53, with the death of his father, Eraño Manalo, 84, of cardiopulmonary arrest.

The elder Manalo, who led the country’s second largest Christian church for the last 46 years, died at 3:53 p.m. Monday, but his death was reported only yesterday.

In a statement aired over the Iglesia-owned TV network Net 25, church spokesman Bienvenido Santiago said Manalo’s remains would lie in state at the Iglesia’s Central Temple in Quezon City, and that burial plans would be announced later.

Manalo’s official designation was Executive Minister, but he was recognized as the supreme leader of the church after he took over from his father, Felix Manalo, who died in 1963.

Eraño Manalo, the fifth child of the group’s founder, was born on Jan. 2, 1925.

With an estimated two million followers who tend to vote according to what their leader tells them, the Iglesia Ni Cristo has traditionally played an important role in politics.

“Eraño Manalo was a giant in the social, religious and political life of the country,” the Palace said in a statement.

“By precept and example, he guided millions of our countrymen on the path of righteousness, attended to the social and economic needs of his flock, and ensured that theirs would always be a powerful and persuasive voice in the nation’s political discourse.”

House Speaker Prospero Nograles said the House of Representatives shared in the loss and grief of the church with the passing of Manalo, whom he called a “man of God and a great Filipino.”

“The collective leadership and full membership of the House of Representatives salute a true leader. We extend our sympathies to our brothers in Christ as Ka Erdy journeys beyond the life of mortals,” the statement said, referring to Manalo by his nickname.

Leftist lawmakers issued their own statement, saying Manalo was instrumental in expanding the indigenous church.

The House adjourned its session yesterday in deference to Manalo’s death.

Officials of Quezon City, where the Central Temple is located, also paid tribute to Manalo.

“He is a great leader who made a significant impact that transformed Philippine society. His passing is a great loss to our country and brethren,” said Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista.

Ousted President Joseph Estrada, who won the election in 1998 with the church’s support, said in a statement that he was saddened to have lost “not only a spiritual adviser but also a dear friend.”

Senator Francis Escudero, a presidential aspirant, paid tribute to Manalo’s efforts to build his church.

With only a handful of followers in Punta, Sta. Ana, Felix Manalo began his mission to grow his church.

The Iglesia ni Cristo, also known as INC, is the largest, entirely indigenous Christian religious organization in the country. Its doctrines profess that Jesus Christ is its founder and that Felix Manalo was God’s last messenger, whom he sent to re-establish the Christian church to its true, pristine form because the Catholic Church had lost its way.

The Iglesia does not believe in the Trinity, nor in the divinity of Jesus and the Holy Spirit as biblical.

Since former President Manuel Quezon created a lasting friendship after asking Felix Manalo for advice, the Iglesia has been known for its strong political influence.

The late President Ferdinand Marcos reportedly made it a point to attend important Iglesia events, including “Ka Erdie” Manalo’s birthday.

The church was at first lukewarm to President Arroyo, but she won Manalo’s support in the 2004 election when she ran against actor Fernando Poe Jr.

Eduardo Manalo, widely seen as Eraño’s successor, is deputy executive minister at the Iglesia. He was born Oct. 31, 1955. He is recognized by the online community as a pioneer in Internet usage in the Philippines, running a bulletin board service at a time when Internet access was practically non-existent.

He also contributed to the founding of an organization within the Iglesia called The Association of Christians in Information Technology, whcih is made up of members in the IT field who offer computer-related assistance to the church. –Roy Pelovello, Manila Standard Today with Joyce Pangco Pañares, Rio N. Araja, Nonoy Acosta, AFP