The Iglesia ni Cristo’s (INC) political clout stems primarily from its bloc-voting practice, which, through the years, has given its leadership significant political leverage.

In exchange for delivering electoral votes, the INC often secures the appointment of trusted individuals to key government positions.

In fact, some end up as Cabinet secretaries, while others become political advisers and diplomatic officers. In addition, the church is reportedly able to wield influence over the handling of certain cases filed in court.

In 2015, following internal church conflicts that led to the filing of illegal detention and harassment complaints against the INC’s governing council, the church mounted a massive five-day street protest aimed at convincing the Department of Justice (DoJ) to dismiss the charges.

Initially, the DoJ remained firm in its resolve to objectively review the issues raised. But when tens of thousands of members occupied major Metro Manila thoroughfares, with their presence intensifying as the days went by, the agency had no choice but to dismiss the cases.

This is why it came as a surprise that, despite its three-day mass action last week in support of Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who faces imminent plunder charges over allegedly undeclared campaign contributions, the Office of the Ombudsman still decided to file the appropriate information against him before the Sandiganbayan.

This was actually the first time the church was ignored, if not outright turned down. But to be honest, it has nothing to do with the perception that its leadership is losing influence.

It only shows how Malacañang will stop at nothing to get the job done — that is, to crucify its enemies. Otherwise, there should have been no reason it could not accommodate the INC’s request, as its predecessors usually did.

With Marcoleta gone, the majority members of the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, can now insist that, with three members outside the tribunal’s jurisdiction, the two-thirds vote needed to convict the vice president should be reduced from 16 to 14.

If this happens, it would become much easier to disqualify Sara. Given what they have done against her, it is only fair to conclude that they have gone all out to destroy her, and there is no turning back.

In the meantime, the INC can only pick up the pieces and consolidate its resources to ensure that the next president is someone heavily indebted to it. When that happens, happy days are here again.