How influentional is the RELIGIOUS VOTE here in the Philippines? Pls. share.
@berryappleberry (548)
Philippines
May 16, 2007 4:12am CST
Despite the separation of church and state, the power of the religious sector has always been regarded as a crufial factor that could influence the results of elections in the Philippines.
Known to command the votes of their flock, the religious groups here in the Philippines, have in the past, actively endorsed candidates.
Gaining the support of the religious organization can spell victory for the candidate.
The two of the prominent religious group that have been wooed by politicians in the past elections are the Iglesia ni Cristo and the El Shaddai, both known to deliver "block votes"An exit poll conducted by the social weather station during the 2004 presidential elections showed how solid the vote of the INC is.
Do you believe that the religious organization can somehow made a big result? Can anyone share how these religious endorse candidates? (or only the leaders select the candidate?
Do you agree? please share.
3 responses
@ryanphil01 (4182)
• Philippines
16 May 07
The Philippine electoral game is rather complex. To have a hope of winning, candidates have to attract “command votes” (where their influence is dominant and where, for example, church leaders of the INC and El Shaddai together with their members will give them a block vote), “market votes” (“free” voters that must be convinced by the campaign) and “negotiated votes” (agreement with a candidate for reciprocal support or with a group such as the Makati Business Club, for it to “give” a part of its “command votes”). all these are interrelated to directly and indirectly influence the outcome of election results here in the philippines.
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
16 May 07
It is a very common practice in here that politicians wooing religious groups to vote for them. I think there is a biiger chance that a religious vote could swing a candidates chances of winning especially if the votes would come from groups such as INC which practices "block votes". But in its entirety I believe that block votes are not that inlfuential since the majority of the voters are still independent voters and they are the ones that the candidates should woo more than those religious groups.
