President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Saturday greeted El Shaddai founder Mariano “Bro. Mike” Velarde on his 83rd birthday. He also congratulated him on the 38th founding anniversary of the influential religious group.
“I would like to greet Brother Mike Velarde on his 83rd birthday today, which also coincides with the 38th Anniversary of the Catholic charismatic group that he founded in 1984, the El Shaddai, which means God Almighty,” Marcos wrote in a social media post.
The chief executive acknowledged the El Shaddai founder as a “valuable friend” to his family. “We are very grateful for his friendship,” Marcos said.
“His style of evangelization has captured a wide Catholic audience and grown El Shaddai into the global family it is today,” Marcos added, recognizing Velarde for being a “Servant Leader” to the eight million members of El Shaddai.
El Shaddai is the biggest Catholic charismatic movement in the Philippines.
Velarde was among the prominent religious figures who endorsed the tandem of Marcos and now Vice President Sara Duterte.
In February, Velardo disclosed that Marcos and Duterte were the only tandem that personally approached him and asked for the group’s endorsement — the reason why El Shaddai decided to back their candidacies.