crocoslots Labor group disowns Quiboloy, Senate bid

Updated:2024-10-28 03:24    Views:74

MANILA, Philippines — Detained pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s bid for the Senate next year is expected to face challenges after officials of the party he supposedly belongs to said they did not sign his certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA).

In the certificate of candidacy (COC) Quiboloy filed last Tuesday through his representative and lawyer Mark Tolentino, the pastor said he would run under the Workers and Peasants Party.

However, WPP president and senatorial aspirant Sonny Matula said he was not aware of who signed Quiboloy’s CONA.

“Only three individuals are authorized to sign on behalf of WPP: the chair, the president, and the senior vice president (SVP). As president, I can confirm that I did not sign any CONA for Quiboloy,” Matula said 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.

He added an investigation is now underway on who issued a CONA to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader. It seeks to determine how the imprisoned pastor was able to obtain the certificate from WPP.

“We want to categorically state that Quiboloy has no official endorsement from the leadership of WPP and is not a member of the party,” Matula said in a statement issued yesterday.

“While Mr. Quiboloy remains innocent until proven guilty, the WPP cannot, under any circumstance, endorse an individual facing serious allegations, including trafficking, money laundering and sexual abuse of minors,” he stressed.

He also pointed out that WPP rejects any unauthorized faction that attempts to use the name of their party.

He said the WPP is taking necessary legal action to protect the party’s name.

Tolentino, in an interview with ANC, said it was he who signed the detained pastor’s CONA, claiming that he is the legitimate president of the WPP.

“There is a faction within the two groups. I am the president of this group and there is a certification from Comelec (Commission on Elections) that we are the legitimate (group),” he said.

“We believe that the legitimate officers of WPP (are on) my side. We are the majority and there is a certification from Comelec that we are the legitimate officers of WPP,” he added.

Despite this, Tolentino said they would just appeal to the Comelec to let Quiboloy run as an independent.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body is not aware to whom a political party issues a CONA as it only relies on those submitted by the candidate to their law department.

However, he explained that the issue of the political party not issuing a CONA is not a solid basis for disqualification of a candidate.

“If the only problem is about the CONA, I doubt that it can be a basis to cancel (Quiboloy’s) candidacy,” Garcia said.

He added that the cancellation of Quiboloy’s COC is only possible if he committed material misrepresentation that pertains to his qualification for the office, like his citizenship and age.

Garcia encouraged WPP to file a complaint if the party did not issue the CONA to Quiboloy so the commission could look into it.

The poll body chief further said that it is premature to say if Quiboloy will be barred from the senatorial race as the Comelec will still assess all COCs including the pastor’s.

“It depends if he will be declared a nuisance (candidate). Will he be perpetually disqualified to hold public office? Are there grounds for disqualification against him? Is there any petition to deny due course or cancel his COC? These are the bases if we will remove a candidate,” he pointed out.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros called Quiboloy “shameless” over his plan to run for the Senate despite being detained on charges of child sex abuse and human trafficking.

“Apollo Quiboloy, be ashamed of yourself,” Hontiveros said yesterday.

The senator bristled at the gall of Quiboloy to seek higher office at the Senate, where Hontiveros conducted an investigation into former church members’ allegations they were raped and forced to beg for money on the streets by Quiboloy.

“For someone facing numerous cases and then went into hiding, he had the audacity to present himself to the public as a lawmaker,” Hontiveros said.

“It is everyone’s right to run for office and serve the country, but I am confident the Filipino people know better than to vote for Quiboloy. Let us not elect lawbreakers as lawmakers,” she added.

‘Quiboloy will win’

The camp of Quiboloy yesterday expressed confidence that the KOJC leader will win the Senate race.

In a message to The STAR, Tolentino said the KOJC is banking on the achievements of the self-proclaimed son of God.

“The people who believe in his advocacy will campaign for him,” Tolentino said.

“We are optimistic that he will win. He has many contributions for the country and for fellow Filipinos even as a private citizen,” he added.

According to Tolentino, Quiboloy can help more once elected to the Senate.

“Exhibit number one is the KOJC, exhibit number two is his assistance to the students and indigenous peoples and many more,” Tolentino said.

Quiboloy’s lawyer said the pastor’s platform will focus on protecting religious freedom and promoting “God-centered, Philippine-centered and Filipino-centered” governance, particularly in the legislation process.

“Pastor Quiboloy will be the senator for the poor and ordinary Filipinos and laborers. He will also focus on giving quality education and zero corruption as exhibited in KOJC. What Pastor Quiboloy has done to KOJC and the whole world, he’ll do in the Philippines as a senator,” he explained.

Should the Comelec allow Quiboloy to run for senator next year, Philippine National Police (PNP) public information officer Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said that he is not allowed to organize any campaigns outside his cell as he still needs to face the charges against him in court.

He is also barred from campaigning through social media as gadgets are not allowed for detainees inside the PNP Custodial Center. –  Bella Cariaso, Christine Botoncrocoslots, Mayen Jaymalin, Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Emmanuel Tupas

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