After supporting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his candidacy for the 2022 presidential election, pastor Apollo Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) sect now calls for his resignation.
STATEMENT
Quiboloy, who faces sex-trafficking allegations, addressed his critics in an uploaded audio message on Feb. 21 explaining his absence days after the Senate issued a subpoena for him to attend an inquiry. The pastor, a self-appointed son of god, said he was in hiding and accused Marcos of colluding with the United States (U.S.) government to have him arrested. He added:
“You are no longer worthy to be our trusted leader. Mabuti pa, hanggang maaga pa, Bongbong Marcos, Liza Marcos, Martin Romualdez, bumaba na kayo sa posisyon. Mag-resign na kayo! Sapagkat hindi hihinto ang tinig na ito habang naririyan pa kayo.”
(You are no longer worthy to be our trusted leader. It would be better, while it’s still early, Bongbong Marcos, Liza Marcos, Martin Romualdez, step down from your posts. Resign! Because this voice will not stop while you are still there.)
Source: Sonshine Media, WATCH: Full statement of Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy | 21 February 2024, watch from 33:17 to 33:40
FACT
Back on Feb. 1, 2022, Quiboloy appeared at a campaign rally in Davao City with eventual Vice President Sara Duterte, where he endorsed Marcos. He said:
“Marami po nagtatanong, ‘Ano ang susuportahan ng Kingdom of Jesus Christ?’ Ngayon na ang tamang panahon na ipaabot ko sa inyo ang aking suporta. 100% ako po ay sumusuporta sa UniTeam, kasama po ang aking pinakamamahal, pinalanggang mayor sa Davao City nga karon modagan bilang vice president sa UniTeam; BBM Marcos, ug tanan mga senatorial slate nila.”
(Many are asking, ‘Who will the Kingdom of Jesus Christ support?’ Now is the right time to tell you who I’ll be supporting. I am 100% supporting the UniTeam, with our beloved mayor of Davao City, who will now run for vice president in UniTeam; BBM Marcos, and everyone in their senatorial slate.)
Source: Rappler, Apollo Quiboloy endorses UniTeam at “Mahalin Natin Ang Pilipinas Ride” kick off in Davao City, watch from 0:31 to 1:11
BACKSTORY
The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality has been investigating the alleged sexual and child abuses Quiboloy has committed against some members of his religious group.
Quiboloy, a spiritual adviser of former president Rodrigo Duterte, is on the “most wanted” list of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation for “severe human rights breaches,” including his alleged involvement in the sex trafficking of young girls.
On Dec. 21, 2023, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) suspended the operations of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), the broadcasting arm of KOJC, for 30 days over alleged violation of the terms and conditions of the franchise of Swara Sug Media Corp., which operates SMNI. Last month, the suspension was extended indefinitely following the network’s non-compliance with the earlier suspension order.
The suspension came after the House of Representatives investigated SMNI and found out that Swara Sug had violated at least three specific provisions of its legislative franchise – deliberately disseminating false information, the transfer of shares without prior congressional approval and failure to offer at least 30% of its outstanding stock.
In the course of its investigation, the House detained two of its anchors, Jeffrey Celiz and Lorraine Badoy, citing them in contempt after repeatedly refusing to identify the source of information alleging that Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez incurred P1.8 billion in travel expenses.
Duterte had a weekly talk show entitled “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” on SMNI which the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board suspended in December over death threats, profanities and false reports allegedly broadcast on the show, targeting certain officials and critics.
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Sources
Senate issues subpoena against Quiboloy
- Philippine News Agency, Senate panel issues subpoena vs. Quiboloy over alleged abuses, Feb. 19, 2024
- ABS-CBN News, Quiboloy risks arrest if he snubs subpoena: lawmaker, Feb. 20, 2024
- Inquirer.net, Senate, House issue subpoenas to Quiboloy, Feb. 20, 2024
On the suspension of SMNI’s franchise
- Philstar.com, NTC makes 30-day SMNI suspension indefinite, Jan. 23, 2024
- Inquirer.net, NTC orders SMNI to stop operations indefinitely, Jan. 23, 2024
- OneNews, NTC Makes 30-Day SMNI Suspension Indefinite, Jan. 23, 2024
On the suspension of SMNI anchors and programs
- Philstar.com, MTRCB suspends SMNI programs hosted by Duterte, Badoy and Celiz, Dec. 19, 2023
- Inquirer.net, 2 SMNI shows suspended, Duterte’s ‘Gikan’ included, Dec. 12, 2023
- OneNews, MTRCB Suspends SMNI Shows Of Duterte, Badoy, Dec. 20, 2023
On House investigation of SMNI franchise
- Inquirer.net, House deputy speaker: Quiboloy must attend SMNI inquiry, Feb. 23, 2024
- GMA News Online, Quiboloy camp receives Senate subpoena, Feb. 23, 2024
- The House of Representatives, House summons Quiboloy over SMNI franchise revocation bill, Feb. 19, 2024
U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, Accessed Feb. 23, 2024
(Guided by the code of principles of the International Fact-Checking Network at Poynter, VERA Files tracks the false claims, flip-flops, misleading statements of public officials and figures, and debunks them with factual evidence. Find out more about this initiative and our methodology.)
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