Davao sect draws top politicos

by Jeffrey M. Tupas (Inquirer Mindanao)

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100216-253438/Davao-sect-draws-top-politicos

DAVAO CITY—It was a night of public contrition, forgiveness, sweet talk, and, of course, politics.

The occasion was the 25th Feast of the Tabernacles of the religious group called Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name, and the main guests included deposed President Joseph Estrada, former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., Sen. Richard Gordon—all presidential candidates—and vice presidential aspirant Perfecto Yasay.

The gathering in the group’s compound just beside the Davao International Airport on Sunday night—Valentine’s Day—was led by its influential Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and attended by about 30,000 members of his flock.
Followers estimate the members of the flock to run into millions.

Yasay, vice presidential candidate of Bangon Pilipinas, surprised the crowd when he publicly apologized to Estrada whom he said he had offended when he was still head of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

‘Be my Valentine’

“I know that I offended this man 10 years ago. I am asking for forgiveness at this time when love governs us all,” Yasay said in a speech. “My public apology to Erap (Estrada’s nickname) for offending him when I was asked to do what I had to do to carry out my duties.”

Yasay was referring to his active participation in the ousting of Estrada in 2001. He had testified about an alleged attempt by Estrada to bribe him with juicy positions in the government if he stepped down from the SEC.

Yasay had also alleged that Estrada received a kickback from business tycoon Alfonso Yuchengco’s shares in the Philippine Long Distance Telecommunications Co. (PLDT) in 1998.

On Sunday, Yasay admitted to having been “naive” and to allowing himself to be “used so that they can grab the presidency from you.”

“Please forgive me … I ask you to become my Valentine tonight,” he said.

Estrada said he was surprised that Yasay was apologizing publicly over his role in kicking him out of Malacañang. He said Yasay’s apology was reminiscent of former President Corazon Aquino’s own apology before she passed away.

Erap forgives

“But if God can forgive, why couldn’t I?” Estrada said in a blend of English and Filipino.

But the former President was envious at the warmer welcome that Teodoro, the administration party’s candidate, received from the flock of Quiboloy—called Kingdom citizens.

“I noticed that the applause for Gibo was louder than what I got,” Estrada quipped. “I am tempted to be envious but Gibo is my friend. It’s OK whoever is chosen between us.”

Before Estrada was called to speak, Teodoro, who came with his wife Tarlac Rep. Nikki Prieto, was well applauded by the thick crowd which looked like a sea of white dresses. When he was called, some even shouted his name.

It was Teodoro’s second meeting with Quiboloy in less than a week. On Thursday, Teodoro was toured by Quiboloy around the group’s sprawling Prayer Mountain compound in Barangay Tamayong, where he was also prayed over by the Pastor.

Quiboloy said his prayer for God to bless the mission and intentions of Teodoro must not be taken as an endorsement, adding he was still waiting for “the divine intervention.”

At Sunday’s affair, Quiboloy called Teodoro “ginigiliw (beloved).” In his speech, he described Teodoro as someone “intelligent (who) has love for country and has capability.”

On the stage, Teodoro sat to Quiboloy’s right while Estrada was at his left.

Not a suitor

The other presidential candidate who arrived was Gordon, who said his presence was not meant to win the endorsement of Quiboloy.

“I am not here to court Pastor Quiboloy. Many are here to court him,” he said.

The senator said he respected whoever was the choice of the group.

“I respect your love for God and that is why you are called the sons and daughters of Jesus Christ,” Gordon said. “That is why today the challenge is for every Filipino to understand that we need unity, stability and transformation.”

“I feel the vibrancy of your love for Jesus Christ in this kingdom. What this country needs is not a change of men but a change in men, those who put others first, not one’s self. That is what the pastor teaches,” Gordon added.

Great again

Liberal Party senatorial candidate Franklin Drilon said the LP standard-bearer, Sen. Benigno Aquino III, was not at the event because he was with his sister Kris Aquino, who was celebrating her birthday.

Other politicians who came were vice presidential candidate Bayani Fernando, Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Lito Lapid, and Jinggoy Estrada, former Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III and Agusan Del Sur Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza. Also present were senatorial candidates Gwen Pimentel, JP Bautista, Raul Lambino and Silvestre Bello.

Quiboloy said he and his flock were praying for the country to be great again with leaders who have love and compassion for the people.

“I thank the leaders who are here tonight. They dared to stand up to serve the country. That is why I love them. Because if no one stands up who are good leaders, evil will prevail and lead us. If not for our good leaders, the country will be ruled by the bad, the plunderers,” Quiboloy said.

The Feast of the Tabernacles is the first of the three major feasts of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.