QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) — Senator Rory J. Respicio, the majority leader of Guam’s 33rd legislature, made a courtesy call to Iglesia Ni Cristo Executive Minister Brother Eduardo today (Sept. 19), to present the legislative resolution of Guam that recognized and congratulated the INC on its 102nd anniversary last July 27.
“The Iglesia Ni Cristo is a very resilient Church, and the Church is here to stay,” said the senator who flew to the Philippines specifically to present to Brother Eduardo Guam’s legislative resolution no. 419-33 which he had introduced and which was supported by 14 other legislators of Guam.
“The reason for this visit is to present the legislative resolution which recognizes the 102nd anniversary of the INC, and also to recognize the INC for all its contributions to the island of Guam,” he said in an interview.
“I am always indebted to the Filipino people for its continued contributions (to Guam), and I’m here today to recognize the Iglesia Ni Cristo and say that the people of Guam are indebted to the positive act the Church has made to our island,” Senator Respicio explained.
The Senator from Guam said the courtesy call to Brother Eduardo was “a very special visit.”
“It’s a very nice blessing as you know. The Iglesia Ni Cristo has a huge contingent on our island of Guam and we share a very special relationship, between the Filipino community and the people of Guam,” he said of his very first visit to Brother Eduardo this morning.
According to the resolution presented to the INC leader, the Committee on Rules of Guam’s Legislature, on behalf of Guam’s Legislature and the people of Guam, “recognize and congratulate (the) Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ) on the celebration of its 102nd anniversary of faithfully serving Christ.”
The resolution also commended the INC members “for the positive impact their Church has achieved in the advancement and well-being of the people of Guam, the Philippines, and numerous other nations around the globe.”
Guam’s legislators also extended their congratulations to the INC’s “leaders, congregation and brethren for their contributions and services that have helped to bring strength, solace, and progress” to Guam.
Guam’s 33rd legislature said that “for many decades, the Iglesia Ni Cristo has sustained a proud tradition of helping those in need, and it continues to celebrate God’s blessings through spiritual development and maturity for our community of Guam and abroad.”
It said that the INC has also “greatly contributed to the spiritual life of (Guam’s) community and to the progress” of the whole island of Guam.
The resolution noted that the people of Guam were also “honored to join the celebration” of the INC’s 102nd anniversary, and are also “grateful for the countless contributions its members have made throughout its history, both here and abroad.”
“The membership of the Iglesia Ni Cristo comprises at least 110 nationalities, and maintains about 104 ecclesiastical districts in the Philippines and in 100 other countries and territories, spanning six continents,” the resolution noted.
It also recognized the thousands of INC members in Guam, and that they are part of the INC’s Ecclesiastical district of the Hawaii Pacific.
The resolution adopted last July 19 by all of Guam’s senators, was signed by Senator Judith Won, speaker of Guam’s 33rd Legislature, Senator Respicio, the majority leader, and legislative secretary Senator Tina Rose Barnes.
Guam’s Legislature then directed the transmittal of the resolution to Brother Eduardo, and to the Philippine Consul General of Guam, Marciano de Borja, and to the Honorable Edward J.B. Calvo, the governor of Guam.
Senator Respicio said the resolution “memorialized the achievements and contribution of the Iglesia Ni Cristo which has a very huge presence in Guam”.
Guam’s majority leader said he wanted to pay tribute to the INC Executive Minister for he recognized the INC’s contribution not only in Guam but to the whole world.
The senator noted that the unity of the members with the INC leadership that he saw in Guam was the same as what he saw here in the Philippines. Respicio also highlighted the resiliency and the strength of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. The senator has visited the Philippines several times.
This was, however, Respicio’s second visit to the INC Central Office. According to the senator, his first visit was when he paid his last respects to the late INC Executive Minister, Brother Eraño G. Manalo, during his wake. He said he had asked then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo if he could visit the wake of the INC leader then. He said that even at that time he had wanted to recognize the INC for its significant contributions to Guam and throughout the world.
Aside from being the Majority Leader, Respicio is also the Chairperson of the following committees: Rules, Federal, Foreign and Micronesian Affairs, Human and Natural Resources, Election Reform and Capitol District. Guam is a U.S. island territory in Micronesia, in the Western Pacific (DCY, AYP, Eagle News Service)
