INC leader Eduardo Manalo’s appointment not a political accommodation —Palace

Malacañang on Thursday defended the appointment of Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo as special envoy for overseas Filipino concerns, saying it was not a form of political accommodation for the influential religious organization.

At a press briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Manalo was tapped by President Rodrigo Duterte owing to the INC's solid network with Filipinos overseas and its programs benefitting them.

"Hindi po 'yan bayad politikal," Roque said. "Napatunayan na ang kakayahan nila [INC], ng kanilang organisasyon na pangalagaan ang kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan sa iba't ibang mga bansa."

Duterte received the backing of the INC, the only religious organization in the Philippines proved to vote as a bloc during elections, when he ran and won the presidential election in May 2016.

Roque also vouched for the competence of Manalo, who will not receive a salary for his work.

"Tayo po ang makikinabang sa kanyang network at hindi naman po natin siya popondohan sa kanyang trabaho," the Palace official said.

He also doused concerns of violation of separation of church and state arising from the appointment.

"Hindi po kasi ang separation of church and state dalawa po iyan. 'Yung kalayaan na magkaroon ng pananampalataya at kasiguraduhan na ang estado mismo ay hindi mag-eendorso ng isang pananampalataya," Roque said. —KG, GMA News