Detained religious leader and self-proclaimed 'appointed son of God' Pastor Apollo Quiboloy filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) today, October 8, for a Senate bid in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.
BREAKING: Pastor Apollo Quiboloy tatakbong senador sa 2025 midterm elections.
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) October 8, 2024
Nagsumite ng COC si Quiboloy sa pamamagitan ng kanyang legal counsel na si Atty. Mark Tolentino | RH 29 @boy_gonzales, DZRH News#Desisyon2025 pic.twitter.com/rhEOvc6wi1
Quiboloy's representative, Atty. Mark Tolentino, filed the COC on his behalf at the Manila Hotel Tent City.
"Pastor Apollo Quiboloy is running for Senator of the Republic of the Philippines kasi gusto niya maging part ng solution ng ating bansa," Tolentino said during a press briefing following the filing of COC.
He then added that Quiboloy's focus in running is for God and the Philippines, noting that his platform is centered on both.
"Ang priority po niya number one is religious freedom. Naniniwala po si Pastor Apollo Quiboloy that religious freedom is inviolable. It means kailangan ng government natin should secure the holy grounds against state forces," said Tolentino.
Quiboloy's next priority is to assist the poor, particularly in healthcare, which includes providing free medicine and quick medical services.
The embattled religious leader is facing charges of qualified human trafficking and multiple counts of sexual abuse. Additionally, he is included on the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation's most wanted list.
On September 8, Quiboloy fell into the hands of the authorities after more than two weeks of searching for him at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao City.
