Eraño Manalo, religious leader of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, passed away in his home Monday, an official of one of the country’s largest religious groups said Tuesday. Manalo, INC executive minister, passed away at 3:53 p.m. of August 31, said INC spokesman Bienvenido Santiago in a statement aired over the INC-owned television network Net 25 Tuesday morning. Manalo was 84.
Quoting Manalo's doctor Rey Melchor Santos, Santiago said the religious leader died of cardiopulmonary arrest. “Hinihiling namin na patnubayan ang buong Iglesia sa panahon ng matinding dalamhati (We request that the entire Church be guided during this time of severe grief),” Santiago said in a brief statement on television. The wake will be open to the public later this Tuesday. The remains of Manalo will be interred at the Templo Sentral of the INC in Quezon City, Santiago said. The Iglesia, which has ministries around the world, is a known political force, voting as a bloc during elections.
Iglesia Ni Cristo head dies - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos