The Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) has scrapped the petitions for bail submitted by doomsday preacher and Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy and his co-accused over a human trafficking case.

In a decision dated July 20, Acting Presiding Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa denied the petitions for bail filed separately by Apollo Quiboloy and former KOJC officials Sylvia Cemañes, Paulene Canada, Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, and Ingrid Canada.

“After a careful examination of the evidence presented by the prosecution for purposes of bail, as well as the records of these cases, the Court finds that the Petitions for Bail (of Quiboloy et al.) should be DENIED,” the order read.

RTC Branch 159 said the prosecution has shown sufficient and compelling evidence of guilt against all accused on two crimes of qualified human trafficking committed by a syndicate. However, the court made it clear that this decision will not determine the final outcome of the case.

In his petition for bail, Quiboloy claimed the private complainant “voluntarily” joined the KOJC church at the urging of her parents, and took part in its religious activities. Thus, the complaint against the pastor was unable to establish his “strong guilt.”

“It was the personal desire and decision of the private complainant’s father, and later, even by their mother, to require their daughters to go to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) church. The private complainant voluntarily joined and participated in the religious organization, and no concrete proof was given apart from her bare assertions that she was allegedly compelled or coerced,” the document recounts.

Following a manhunt that stretched out over two weeks at the KOJC Compound in Davao City, the televangelist was arrested on September 8, 2024.