Detained KOJC founder Apollo Quiboloy files through an authorized representative his certificate of candidacy for senator on Oct. 8, 2024. Jauhn Etienne Villaruel, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA (2nd UPDATE) — Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy on Tuesday filed a certificate of candidacy (COC) to join next year's senatorial race, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) confirmed.

Quiboloy pleads not guilty to qualified human trafficking raps

Comelec spokesman Rex Laudiangco said Quiboloy filed his COC through an authorized representative as the controversial televangelist is currently detained over qualified human trafficking and sexual abuse charges.

Who is Apollo Quiboloy?

Quiboloy’s COC was filed by one of his lawyers Mark Tolentino. The religious leader is running under the banner of Workers' and Peasants' Party.

Atty. Sonny Matula of the WPP, however, denied signing Quiboloy’s certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA).

“Iam not aware of who signed his CONA. Only three individuals are authorized to sign on behalf of WPP: the Chair, the President, and the Senior Vice President. As President, I can confirm that I did not sign any CONA for Quiboloy,” he posted on X.

“Upon inquiring, the other two, Atty Ariel Arias (Chair) and Dr. Oscar Morado (SVP), have also stated that they have no knowledge of signing a CONA for him,” he added.

Matula also said they will be inquiring from the Comelec regarding this issue.

Tolentino said Quiboloy's platforms would be "God-centered, Philippine-centered, and Filipino-centered."

"Religious freedom is inviolable. Kailangan ang government po natin should secure the holy grounds against state forces... Pastor Quiboloy will be the senator sa mga mahihirap, senator sa mga ordinaryong Pilipino, senador sa mga manggagawa," Tolentino said.

Underage KOJC members as young as 12 years old have accused Quiboloy of molestation, saying the pastor wanted to check “if their virginity was still intact.”

• Footage: Actual surrender, arrest of Apollo Quiboloy

Quiboloy, a popular televangelist who is a close friend of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, founded the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in Davao City in 1985 with only 15 followers.

Since then, KOJC has amassed millions of followers in the Philippines and abroad.

Quiboloy was charged by the United States in 2021 with sex trafficking of girls and women to work as personal assistants, who were allegedly required to have sex with him during what they said was their "night duty".

He is also sought by US authorities for bulk cash smuggling and a scheme that brought church members to the US through fraudulently obtained visas.

They were then forced to solicit donations for a bogus charity, raising funds that were instead used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders, according to the FBI.

Twelve of the 24 senate seats are up for grabs in next year's midterm polls, along with more than 18,000 congressional and local government executive posts. -- with Agence France-Presse

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