In defense of Bro. Mike Velarde

The article, “Is there really a Mike Velarde vote factor?” written by columnist William M. Esposo (in Philippine Star issue of May 10, 2007) is meant to, by and large, discredit the leader of the largest charismatic group in the country – Bro. Mike Velarde – on arguments that are flawed, self-contradictory, and purely subjective.

It may not be far removed that the writer may have an ax to grind (for reasons known only to him) against the most influential spiritual icon in Philippine politics in our contemporary times. And doing so, the writer has unwittingly displayed his stupidity even idiocy to the approximately 5 million Catholic (or even non-Catholic) followers of El Shaddai.

Philippine Star, the 3rd largest newspaper in the country in terms of circulation might have to lose about 5 million of its valued subscribers. Diminishing readership, theoretically enough, will impact badly on the continuing economic viability of a newspaper under siege.

This gives columnist Esposo only two options: leave Philippine Star or ask for a public apology. At the very least, the Philippine Press Institute, if such exists, should subject Esposo to appropriate disciplinary action since his own ‘grandstanding and perorations’ in a lengthy but otherwise vacuous column are meant to cast aspersions on the person of Bro. Mike, in particular, and to the 5 million El Shaddai worshippers, in general.

Esposo’s submission that El Shaddai followers ‘have ceased patronizing Velarde’ is farthest from the truth. It has no basis in reality. And again, Esposo cleverly undermined El Shaddai by pitting it with Iglesia ni Cristo over who gave Erap higher percentage of support based on a 1998 SWS survey. That to me is pedantic logic. As if to reinforce this claim, Esposo conveniently made reference to the one seat garnered by Buhay Party List in a prior party-list election. What is the beef?

It is most unfair even unkind for columnist Esposo to accuse Bro. Mike of acts unacceptable to the Catholic faithful. If the CBCP exercised restraint than El Shaddai in endorsing candidates in the just concluded mid-term election, Bro. Mike cannot be faulted in providing a moral compass for his followers. Further, there ought to be an ‘open procedure’ in Esposo going about inquiring on where the contributions to El Shaddai go.

To accuse Velarde of indulging in dirty politics just because he endorsed politicians, supported Erap, and supported GMA is doubtlessly misleading. Truth is, Bro. Mike’s open espousal of his position against the charter change issue as being ‘rammed down through the people’s throat’ pushed the panic button and Malacanang caved in to pressure. If that were dirty of the man, what is clean?

SWS survey, old and new, were never perceived as unreliable. The problem with Esposo is his rather purposive use of old statistical data to prove a convoluted argument. For instance, to prove as though were reliable gauge of El Shaddai vote power is the one seat in Congress earned by Buhay in a prior election – is really disconcerting. The world knew that in this 2007 election. Buhay got the maximum of 3 seats as the number 1 party list with over 1 million votes. Bro. Mike’s endorsement of Buhay, among other factors, certainly explains the patronizing over a million vote garnered. And if Dr. Muga can only convince COMELEC of his new mathematical formula, Buhay must end up getting about 8 seats in the House of Representatives.

I shall be happy to send the good columnist a copy of our findings on why Buhay tops the list in the COMELEC’s counting chart should he so please. Esposo’s thesis ‘that Velarde’s endorsement adds nothing to the national pattern of voting’ runs in the opposite direction in so far as this May 2007 mid-term election stands as mute witness. Bottomline, Esposo cannot use an old key to open a new lock – for it has a different set of teeth. Or that can only be viewed as sheer idiocy. It is a pity to be able to meet one such columnist of a supposed-to-be reputable newspaper.

In the end, laymen, bishops, leaders, followers do genuflect before Bro. Mike Velarde and this never-ending stream of more men and women celebrating prayer rallies with their beloved icon shall be as proverbial as the grass. For me, Bro. Mike – in all his human limitations – is a miracle worker worth my trust and high esteem. Be among us – Bro. William!