El Shaddai leader mulls presidencyMANILA -- With only nine months before the 2010 elections, El Shaddai leader Mariano “Bro. Mike†Velarde said Wednesday that he is thinking of running for the presidential race next year.
The El Shaddai leader admitted he is consulting his members on whether or not to join politics in 2010, adding that the decision does not only depend on him.
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“I can’t do it myself because there are millions of people. So, I am in the process of consulting our members nationwide and worldwide what to do in the 2010 elections. If they don’t want me to run, then let’s agree to make a choice who we can vote. I still have my plan,†he said.
Velarde revealed that he is consulting almost everybody, particularly core groups that are spread all over the world to get consensus membership.
He said he wants to become President of the Philippines because “I thought that iyon ang paraan para matulungan ang mahihirap, the gap between the rich and poor mabigyan natin ng solusyon.â€
However, he said: “My entering politics lie in their (El Shaddai members) hands because we believe in the voice of the people is the voice of the Lord. That dictum is not just for any people it should be for the voice of the people of God.â€
Velarde earlier said he has no plans of running for an elected position but if he gets the nod of the bishops, he will reconsider it.
Asked if he will support former President Joseph Estrada in the 2010 election, Velarde said no.
“Napagbigyan na natin siya (we already gave him the chance), and probably, he could best serve kung gagamitin na lang niya ang kanyang popularity to choose the better candidate or best candidate,†he said.
Velarde said Estrada and other former leaders of the country should give others a chance to serve the Philippines.
“Give the younger generation the chance,†Velarde said.
The El Shaddai leader also opposed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s reported bid to seek a seat in Congress in next year’s elections.
“We’ve talked about her completing her term. And I said, ‘I will support you until the completion of your term in 2010. My support ends there,’†he said in television interview Wednesday.
For some politicians, Velarde’s running for presidential race in 2010 is his not impossible. But Senator Ping Lacson said he doesn’t think Velarde has enough numbers to win for president in 2010.
Lacson, however, said the El Shaddai leader has the right to seek the country’s highest political post.
For Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Velarde should better help politicians who could help improve the country than run for president next year.
Velarde though asserted Wednesday that his real dream is to become President of the Philippines.
Also on Wednesday, Velarde invited President Arroyo to be the guest of honor at the inauguration of the House of Prayer building inside Amvel City in Barangay San Dionisio, Paranaque City.
The country’s biggest charismatic movement will be launching Thursday, August 20, the cross-shaped like, multifaceted El Shaddai House of Prayer.
Considered as the biggest place of worship and prayers in Asia, the 10,000-square-meter house of prayer is situated on the sprawling 10 hectares lot.
It has a seating capacity of 16,000 and for Standing Room Only (SRO), it can accommodate 25,000 people. The group has seven million members worldwide.
According to Velarde, the altar has a strong semblance to Noah’s ark, which is surrounded by water.
“The rainbow is there just above the ark-shape stage which represents God’s covenant with Noah that they will no longer be disturbed by flood,†he said.
Under the Noah’s ark-like stage is the Baptism Healing Pool.
The group used to conduct its prayer worships in Luneta, Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, Rizal Football Stadium, Reclamation Area, Araneta Coliseum, Folk Arts Theater and all the biggest spaces in Metro Manila.
Velarde said for the last 15 years, their congregation has already spent almost P300 million in rentals.
He said there is also a provision for the crowd overflow -- the 200,000 El Shaddai members who weekly trooped to the venues of El Shaddai activities to listen to the words of God.
The House of Prayer has four entrances with rainbows above the doors. On top of the structure stands a crucifix.
At the back of the main fellowship area is the chapel -- a traditional Church-like European structure complete with stained glass.
There is also the adoration chapel and the Father’s Love chapel known as the “Prodigal Son†which will serve as a confessional area.
Velarde said it took them almost two years to finish the construction of the El Shaddai House of Prayer, which amount was pegged at close to a billion. The amount does not include the 10-hectare lot.
However, he clarified that the lot is not actually for free as the fellowship will pay it at a minimal cost for 20 years.
“The savings from our operations have finally driven me to come up with the El Shaddai House of Prayers and the College of the Divine Wisdom,†Velarde said. (FP/Sunnex)
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