July 27, Iglesia ni Cristo Day, Non-working Holiday, Smells like GMA Politics 101?

On July 27 Monday, the Iglesia ni Cristo will celebrate its 40th founding anniversary. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has declared this day a non-working holiday. This is a good news for students, teachers and workers (except those who are receiving daily wages). People could take some rest and enjoy a long weekend with their loved ones. President GMA has been known to declare religious holidays for Catholics and Muslims, but this is the first that she is announcing a holiday for a Christian sect, which is Iglesia ni Cristo. This religious organization has an estimated size of between 3 million and 10 million worldwide. It is said to be larger than the Jehovah's witnesses. But this powerful religious sect is also known for its culture of bloc voting during election time. It is said that is the only religious sect in the Philippines who command such influence over its members. And since the presidential elections is already nearing at 2010, this is strongly too coincidental perhaps. Is this another guise perhaps being pulled from the bag of tricks of a traditional politician?