Governors, lawmakers and mayors, along with other Christian and Muslim leaders make their yearly homage Saturday to the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) on the occasion of the 85th birthday of its late Executive Minister Erano G. Manalo who passed away on August 31, 2009 and has since been succeeded as INC Executive Minister by his eldest son Bro. Eduardo Manalo.

Politicians, whether high or low, still remember Ka Erdie Manalo with fondness and deep respect and affection because of his sincerity, humility and word of honor.

“Ka Erdie Manalo proved during his whole lifetime that he was a worthy successor to his father, the Felix Manalo. From a handful of followers on July 27, 1914, INC has since grown into a universal church with members in 75 countries, including Italy and Rome,” said Governors Jun Ynares III of Rizal and Suharto Teng Mangudadatu of Sultan Kudarat, July 27, 1914 is now celebrated as “Felix Manalo Day” under Republic Act 9645, Ynares and Mangudadatu observed that INC current Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo is very much like his father and grandfather in running the religious and other affairs of INC.

Reps. Francisco T. Matugas of the first district of Surigao del Norte and Rep. Guillermo Romarate of the second district of the province, said INC’s genuine concern for the poor and needy through livelihood projects and low-cost housing programs endears it not only to its followers in particular and the general public in general.

Other government officials who extended their greetings to INC in connection with the 85th birthday anniversary of the late Ka Erdie Manalo are Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro, Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza who is running for senator under Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino led by former President Joseph Estrada, QC Council Majority Floor Leader Antonio Enrile Inton who is running for mayor, and Eduardo “Boy” C. Morales, chairman and president of party-list group 1-Aangat Ka Pilipino (1-AK).