BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya--A week before the May 14 elections, candidates here are scampering to gain votes from local religious groups and cults because of their track record of bloc voting.
Candidates here are reportedly courting the support of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), which boasts of an estimated 10,000 voting members in Nueva Vizcaya, and the religious cult Vucal na Pananampalataya (VNP) here which has at least 3,000 members.
During the 1998 elections, the local INC endorsed the bids of three candidates.
The three candidates received solid votes from INC members, giving them an edge over their rivals.
That same year, the religious cult VNP, which established a communal village in Se¤ora Falls in Barangay Bansing here, contributed bloc votes for an incumbent mayor who is now running for vice governor as an independent candidate.
The VNP, headed by a certain Dominador de Guia, known to his followers here as "Cuoya Doming," has been loyal to a lawyer-candidate because of the candidate's role as the cult's counsel on tenurial rights and environmental cases since 1958.
VNP's area, where most of its members now live, was awarded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources under a stewardship contract that is renewable for 25 years.
"Because of its (VNP) attribute as a solid group for political support, many local candidates are courting its members and their leader to gain support during the elections," said Genaro Basilio, chief of the public affairs and information assistance division of the provincial government.
Politicians here said one who gets the group's endorsement has "good chances" of winning because of the number it represents, excluding the votes they would receive from other supporters in the villages.
"Mabalin nga pagrubwatan met daytoy nga suportada gapu ti panagmaymaysa da nga mangibutos ti kayat da nga kandidato (Their support can be considered as 'take-off points' because of their unity in voting their chosen candidates)," claimed a politician here who admitted being called by local INC leaders in one of its services.
Candidates court the support of INC and VNP members because it is easier than the usual house to house campaign, another candidate said.
"This will save interested candidates their time, money and effort because one will just present themselves before the members upon the invitation of their leaders. But I think this will just be a factor and not conclusive to determine their victory. Parang barangay din yan, silent majority," the candidate said.
In national politics, the support of religious groups like the INC and the El Shaddai, which both claims to have millions of faithful followers, are considered precious commodities for candidates.
Candidates running for national positions court the support of big religious groups in the hope that these groups' leaders' endorsements would give them an edge.
Candidates for senators, especially, consider the support of these groups as valuable.
Recently, the INC, which is known to compel its members to vote for particular candidates, has endorsed an 8-5 lineup for the Senate in favor of the People Power Coalition.
The endorsement came after President Macapagal-Arroyo paid a visit to the INC.
Ousted President Joseph Estrada was one of the national politicians who courted the support of religious groups heavily.
During his impeachment trial and at the start of the Edsa rally that led to his ouster, Estrada was able to organize a rally of El Shaddai, Jesus is Lord and INC members to demonstrate support for him.
The religious groups, however, failed to muster enough support to keep Estrada in power.
Even the head of the El Shaddai, Mike Velarde, was linked to hundreds of millions of pesos in shady deals that were consummated during Estrada's short-lived stay in power.