Osmena said it is normal for candidates to ask for the backing of the Iglesia ni Cristo since it is known to deliver votes for the candidates whom it endorses.
According to the senator, he expects Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Jejomar Binay and Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel Roxas 2nd to also meet with the officials of the INC in a bid to get their endorsement.
In 2010, the church “anointed” the tandem of then-Sen. Benigno Aquino 3rd and Roxas.
But it seemed that the bloc-voting power of the religious group was not enough to help Roxas win the vice presidential race.
Binay bagged the country’s second-highest post.
Meanwhile, Osmena admitted that the endorsement of Estrada is still a big factor in the candidacy of Poe.
He said with way the presidential contest is shaping up, all the candidates need all the support they can get.
“He [Estrada] has been a big factor since 1986 when he ran as senator, so you cannot downplay the influence of Erap,” Osmena said, using the Manila mayor’s nickname.
Although it is not as big as 30 percent, he added, Estrada’s influence is still sizeable and enough to make a difference.
The Manila mayor has endorsed Poe, her goddaughter, instead of Binay, his running mate during the 2010 presidential elections.
For Vice President, he vouched for Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.