THE tandem of Cebu City Mayor Michael “Mike” Rama and Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia have received the backing of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) in their bid for mayor and vice mayor, respectively, in the May 9, 2022 elections.In a press conference Friday, May 6, Rama announced that the religious group had formally endorsed their candidacy for the top two spots in the Cebu City Government.Rama expressed his gratitude to the religious group that is known for bloc voting of its members.“I have been connected with a member of Iglesia Ni Cristo, and it is already on their ballot. And I do not want to be showing the ballot because it might also promote others, but I have officially been endorsed by Iglesia,” said Rama.On his Facebook page, Garcia announced his gratitude to the INC for backing his candidacy.Garcia told SunStar Cebu that INC had been supporting him since he first ran for councilor during the 2016 election.“That is a very welcome development, and I am very happy, honored and privileged nga ako gyud ilang gipili pagkakandidato pagka vice mayor diri sa atong siyudad sa Sugbo (that I was the one they chose to back for vice mayor of Cebu City),” said Garcia.The INC recently endorsed other candidates under Rama’s Partido Barug-PDP Laban.These are councilors Joel Garganera and Jerry Guardo who are running for reelection, and the late mayor Edgar Labella’s son, Jaypee Labella, who is also eyeing a seat in the council.Councilor Prisca Niña Mabatid, who is running for representative of the Cebu City North District has also received the nod of the religious group.Meanwhile, BG Rodrigo Abellanosa, son of outgoing Cebu City South District Rep. Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa, has also been endorsed by INC.As of press time, Abellanosa was the only candidate under the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan, Cebu City’s opposition bloc, who had announced that they had received the support of INC.