A new move to rename the widest highway in the country in honor of the late Executive Minister Eraño “Ka Erdy” Manalo of the Iglesia ni Cristo may revive the old controversy in which Catholic leaders have strongly opposed such proposal.

This time, fierce debates are expected in the House of Representatives where a group of administration solons led by presidential son, Camarines Rep. Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo, filed a bill seeking to name the most accident-prone national road in the country after Manalo who died of cardiac arrest last August 31.

Last year, Catholic leaders vehemently opposed a proposed Quezon City council ordinance that sought to name the avenue after INC founder and Ka Erdy’s father, Felix Manalo.

Facing strong resistance from the Catholics, Councilor Godofredo Liban Jr. decided to abandon the proposal.

It was the second time QC councilors irked leaders of the religion that has the largest following in the country.

The first was when local legislators passed a measure supporting the reproductive health bill which has been strongly opposed by Catholics. QC Mayor Feliciano Belmonte supported the councilors.

In filing House Bill 6785, the young Arroyo and other co-authors said the late Ka Erdy deserved recognition for his huge contributions to the “spiritual and moral well-being” of millions of Filipinos who are now members of the INC, which ranks second to Catholic in terms of following.

Among the co-authors are Lakas-Kampi-CMD Reps. Candido P. Pancrudo, Jr. (1st District, Bukidnon), Pedro P. Romualdo (Lone District, Camiguin), Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano (2nd District, Misamis Oriental), Jose S. Aquino II (1st District, Agusan del Norte), Antonio F. Lagdameo, Jr. (2nd District, Davao del Norte) and Rommel C. Amatong (2nd District, Compostela Valley).

The congressmen cited Manalo’s leadership for expanding the homegrown religion in the country and in many countries in world.

According to the legislators, Ka Erdy also developed the Filipino culture with his colossal followers, through the massive doctrinal-discipline formation of norms and behavior that was transparently associated with the religion he professed.

“With Eraño G. Manalo’s religious leadership that transcended over political and social boundaries, Ka Erdy is worthy to be lined up with great Filipino leaders and other great Filipino achievers,” the solons said.

The late INC leader’s remains is buried at the INC Central headquarters located on Commonwealth Avenue. At least 500,000 INC members and government leaders attended the September 7 burial while more than a million came to the wake to condole with his family.

When first presented to the city council, the proposed ordinance renaming the avenue as Felix Manalo Avenue was opposed by Catholic church leaders led by Novaliches Bishop Antonio R. Tobias.

“Pleasing the INC could be politically rewarding. But offending the Catholic church is political suicide,” commented Majority Leader Ariel Inton after Liban decided to recall the proposal.

In a letter to Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista, Tobias pointed out that there are three “major” Roman Catholic churches — St. Peter Parish; Kristong Hari Paris and Sto. Nino de Leyte Shrine — situated along the avenue.

“To change the name of Commonwealth Avenue to that of Felix Y. Manalo would sacrifice the very history of our nation and the integrity of our city,” Tobias said in the letter that was also distributed to the 26 QC councilors.

Tobias urged the city council not to decide on the issue for the sake of “partisan interests of a specific minority”.