JIL bares initial Senate bets

Religious group Jesus Is Lord (JIL) Church Worldwide has unveiled its initial list of senatorial candidates it will endorse for the upcoming 12 May elections.

In a statement on Sunday, the JIL, founded by evangelist-turned-politician Eddie Villanueva, announced to its members that its Executive Selection Committee has adopted a “set of stringent criteria rooted in Christian values, with a strong emphasis on candidates' commitment to truth, justice, and righteousness.”

“The Committee met with various candidates, listened to their advocacies, and assessed their stances on key moral issues. Following a thorough assessment of their positions and a review of their track records,” it said.

Among those initially endorsed by the religious group are senatorial aspirants Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Pia Cayetano, and Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.

“Pastors are instructed to ensure that all our 1,509 chapters across 82 provinces in the Philippines and 70 countries worldwide are completely informed of this endorsement,” the JIL said.

The religious group said deliberations are still ongoing and a second batch of endorsements will be announced in the coming days.

“Let’s continue praying for a clean, orderly, honest, and God-centered elections in our beloved nation,” it said.

As of 2024, the Jesus Is Lord Church Worldwide has an estimated membership of over 6 million people globally. This includes a strong presence in the Philippines, where it operates in all 82 provinces, and in more than 70 countries worldwide.