Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who is facing child sexual abuse charges, is not the first Filipino to seek a Senate seat while in jail.
Filipino preacher Apollo Quiboloy shocked supporters and critics alike when his lawyer filed his candidacy papers for the May 2025 midterm elections on Oct 8.has many titles: Appointed Son of God, Owner of the Universe and leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ religious group, which critics view as a cult. And now, the controversial pastor accused of sexually abusing women and girls as young as 12 wants to add another title to that list: senator of the Philippines.
“It really boils down to the idea that Philippine politics is a protection racket. You run for office for you not to land in jail,” said visiting senior fellow Aries Arugay at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. Quiboloy has not been convicted of any crimes so far, and so he is well within his constitutional rights to run for office, his lawyers say.
Quiboloy stated in his candidacy filing on Oct 8 that he was nominated by the Workers’ and Peasants’ Party . But WPP official Sonny Matula subsequently tweeted on the same day that none of the party leaders signed off on Quiboloy’s candidacy as required, and they plan to raise the matter with the Commission on Elections.There are numerous examples of Filipino politicians having successfully run for office while on trial, in jail or out on bail.
Another notable example was Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, who won a Senate seat in May 2022 while on trial for corruption. He took up the post and was acquitted in January 2024.
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