'Jesus' heeds 'friend Duterte's request,' joins Senate race

MANILA - A 40-year-old man from Cebu, who identified himself as Jesus Christ, wants to join the Senate race in 2019 so he can "protect our universe."

Charlie Talledo, clad in white suit with a tie, filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Monday using the nickname Jesus Christ.

Speaking to reporters after he filed his COC at the Comelec office, Talledo vowed that there will be no death penalty under his watch because he is "Christ."

"We need Jesus Christ to protect our universe. Dapat dun ako sa Davao, Cebu tatakbo pero hindi ako mahirap kausap kaya nandito ako. Walang death penalty, I am Jesus Christ," he added. 

"Christ," who works as a driver, also said he only heeded the request of President Rodrigo Duterte to run for senator. 

"Gusto niya pumunta ako dito, si Duterte. Hindi naman mahirap pagbigyan si Duterte dito. Si Duterte, magkaibigan kami, may pinagsamahan kami. Pero pagbibigyan kita. Pagbibigyan kita, Mr. President Duterte," he said. 

Asked if he can heal people, "Christ" said no, and added: "Dapat pag may sakit ka, may doktor naman, doon tayo magpagamot. Kaya nga may ospital."

"Christ" was among the 26 people who filed their candidacy for senator on Monday, Comelec records show. 

A total of 63 Senate hopefuls have filed their COCs since Thursday last week.--with a report from Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News