From jail, Quiboloy joins Senate race

Detained fugitive Apollo Quiboloy

MANILA, Philippines — Through his lawyer, televangelist and Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy joined the Senate race on Tuesday, saying the detained pastor’s top priority will be legislation on protecting religious freedom.

“Pastor Quiboloy believes that religious freedom is inviolable. Our government must secure holy grounds against state forces,” lawyer Mark Tolentino said, apparently alluding to the police raids conducted in the KJC compound in Davao City to search for the sect’s leader.

Quiboloy is detained at Camp Crame in Quezon City while facing charges of human trafficking and child and sexual abuse that several former KJC members filed against him.

Tolentino showed reporters a notarized copy of the certificate of candidacy (COC) received by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) at the Manila Hotel Tent City. The form, signed by the 74-year-old Quiboloy, indicates that he was nominated by the Workers’ and Peasants’ Party.

“He (Quiboloy) wants to be part of the solution of [the problems] of our country. He is running because of God and our beloved Philippines. The focus of his platform of governance is God-centered, Philippine-centered, and Filipino-centered, especially in legislation as a senator,” Tolentino added.

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Kiko, Willie

Tolentino said Quiboloy, the longtime spiritual adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, also vowed a “zero-corruption” stand, adding that he would replicate his KJC policies and projects throughout the country.

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Also among those who filed their COCs for senator on the last day of the filing period were former Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, former Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez, former Commission on Audit member Heidi Mendoza, television game show host Willie Revillame, Sagip party list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, Valenzuela Rep. Eric Martinez, whistleblower Joemel “Bikoy” Advincula and former Catanduanes governor and congressman Leandro Verceles Jr., president of a rival faction of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas which recognized President Marcos as candidate in the 2022 elections.

Pangilinan, who was accompanied by his wife, actress Sharon Cuneta, said he would work with the executive branch to curb hunger through legislation aimed at lowering prices of rice.

“We are ready to set aside politics to help the government because hunger has no political color,” said Pangilinan, who served two terms as senator. He ran for vice president in 2022 but lost.

If elected, Mendoza, who also served as undersecretary at the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services, said she would continue her anticorruption crusade by involving people in the passage of the national budget through information and education drives.

Revillame, 64, said he decided to run after witnessing “squabbles” of politicians. He said Filipinos, particularly in the provinces, were interested in how to get food and medicine and not in politicians’ fights.

He said that for 21 years as a TV show host, poor people with the same problems go to him to seek assistance. Should he win as senator, he said would lead the passage of laws that would benefit the poor, especially those related to education.

Revillame also said he would continue hosting his TV show until the start of the campaign season in February next year.

Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco said 57 senatorial aspirants filed their COCs on Tuesday, bringing the total to 184 for the entire eight-day filing period.

For the party list race, 53 groups filed their certificates of nomination and certificates of acceptance of nomination, bringing the total to 190, including a few with rival sets of nominees.