Malacañang was undeterred on the non-endorsement of the Church to Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) senatorial candidates while it endorses the opposition candidates.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said, “the Philippines is a free and democratic country, where everybody can endorse anybody running for public office, except those public officers and government employees holding non-political offices.
According to Panelo, they understand that in general, an endorsement of a candidate from an endorser means that the latter is impressed with the credentials of the former while other endorsements are based on kinship, friendship, alliance, indebtedness (utang na loob), investment for future favors, fondness, admiration or any combination of the foregoing.
He also admitted that endorsements from influential person or groups are welcome for candidates, said that “It best to leave the endorsement of the Church to the candidates themselves as well leave it the electorate as to how they will look or treat the same,”
