Zubiri condoles with INC for untimely passing
of Executive Minister Ka Erdy Manalo

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri on Tuesday expressed his sympathies and condolences to members of the influential religious group Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) for the passing of Executive Minister Eraño "Ka Erdy" Manalo.

"I would like to give my deepest and sincerest condolences to the Iglesia Ni Cristo family for the passing of Eraño "Ka Erdy" Manalo," Zubiri said.

Manalo, 84, died of cardio pulmonary arrest on Monday afternoon at his Quezon City house.

"Ka Erdy was a man of great vision and an inspiration not only to his brothers and sisters in the Iglesia Ni Cristo but also to the rest of the nation. His dedication to bring the ministry of the Iglesia Ni Cristo around the world made the Filipinos proud. And that Filipino faith is being practiced and preached all over the globe through the INC," Zubiri said.

"Ka Erdy's teachings and inspirational leadership has brought about moral transfiguration that many leaders in the political arena wished for our people. It is also the reason why members of the INC are one of the most productive and disciplined members of our citizenry."

Manalo served as the executive minister of INC from April 23, 1963 until his death. He acquired the leadership of the ministry after the death of his father, Felix Manalo, who founded the INC on July 27, 1914 and built its first church in Punta, Sta. Ana in Manila.

At present there are over 600 locales abroad in more than 70 countries and territories representing more than 100 nationalities

Zubiri authored Republic Act 9645, or the law declaring July 27 of every year as a Special National Working Holiday in honor of INC's founding anniversary.