President Noynoy Aquino on Tuesday greeted the Iglesia ni Cristo on its 96th founding anniversary, saying he looks forward to a closer partnership in advancing the protection of human rights and good governance.

The President extended his greetings to the influential religious group even as he declined to declare July 27 as special holiday to celebrate Iglesia ni Cristo Day, a move taken by the past government last year.

The religious group reportedly endorsed the presidential candidacy of Mr. Aquino that helped boost his chances in the recent automated elections.

“Kaisa nyo kami sa pagbabalik tanaw, ksama ninyo ako sa pagdiriwang, at kabalikat ninyo ako at ang buong bayang Pilipinas sa patuloy nating pagsulong tungo sa ating pinapangarap nating kinabukasan (We are one with you in your commemoration, we join you in your celebration, and we stand together in fulfilling our aspirations),” the President said in a statement read by his spokesman Edwin Lacierda.

“Nawa'y magpatuloy at lalong umunlad ang ating pagtutulungan sa pagtatanggol ng mga karapatan ng mamamayang Pilipino at sa pagtataguyod ng matapat na paglilingkod sa Dyos at bayan (We hope our cooperation would endure in protection of the rights of Filipinos and honest service to the Lord and the nation),” he added.

Lacierda said he is unaware if the President would join the INC celebration in its headquarters in Quezon City.

Last year, former President Arroyo declared July 27 as non-working holiday to commemorate the founding anniversary of the church denomination.

The religious group has been a known supporter of the Arroyo government.

But in the last presidential polls, the group reportedly favored then Sen. Aquino rather than former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, the administration candidate, as the country's next leader.