AKLAN 2nd District Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr. on Wednesday warned against using God’s name for personal and political gains amid the intensifying political activities leading up to the 2025 midterm elections.

Haresco also urged for suspension of political rallies, including those disguising as prayer rallies, to suspend their activities until the election period, saying it’s too early to engage in politicking.

“Sana itong mga political rallies, according sa Comelec, [election] period na lang. Saka na lang muna mag-rally-rally at saka hindi na gamitin in God’s name iyong mga whatever personal or political objectives,” Haresco said during the regular daily press conference at the House of Representatives.

Haresco issued the statement in response to queries regarding the “prayer rally” organized by supporters of embattled religious leader Apollo Quiboloy in Manila on Tuesday, which subsequently evolved into an anti-government demonstration.

The pro-Quiboloy rally saw the attendance of several senators and former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who criticized President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his alleged plan to extend his term through Charter amendments.

However, this criticism seems unfounded, as Congress is currently only discussing economic constitutional reforms, with no indication of plans for term extension.

House Assistant Majority Leader and La Union 1st District Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega expressed bewilderment over the evolving nature of prayer rallies.

“For me, parang I really don’t understand the concept of the prayer rally kasi it’s becoming a different kind of a rally,” Ortega, a member of the lawmakers’ group “Young Guns,” said.

“Minsan mellow, minsan mainit na, umiinit ng umiinit pero the personalities who are there should be the personalities who are first and foremost na dapat nandiyan na tutulong sa gobyerno para ayusin ‘yung mga problema natin,” he added.

Ortega said that influential individuals should focus on helping the government solve pressing issues, rather than exacerbating political tensions.

He also underscored the importance of working together to help President Marcos and the country.

“Mas marami pong malalaking problema ang bansa kaysa sa mag-uumpisa tayo with political problems, political accusations. ‘Yung mga ‘yun hindi na po kailangan na sinasabi sa entablado na syempre it will only agitate the public, ‘yung mga nagra-rally,” Ortega said.

“I encourage them na tulungan natin ‘yung gobyerno natin, tulungan natin si Presidente Bongbong Marcos kasi napakaaga po ng pulitika, so tulungan po natin ‘yung bansa,” he added.

Haresco concurred with Ortega’s assessment that engaging in politicking at this stage is premature, noting that the next election is still a year away and President Marcos has been in office for less than two years.

He also issued a strong warning against criticizing presidents during the midterm period or the first three years of their term, citing historical statistics that show Filipinos are typically supportive of their leaders during this time.

“In terms of statistics in the history of the Filipino, makikita po natin na mapagbigay ang Filipino. Sa midterm period ng isang presidente pinagbibigyan po ng Filipino,” Haresco pointed out.

“So, lahat po ng nag-atake sa isang Presidente during the midterm o ‘yung first three years niya ay bumabagsak sa popularity, bumabagsak sa politika,” he added.