Labor leader Matula says he did not sign any CONA for Apollo Quiboloy

Labor leader and lawyer Sonny Matula on Tuesday said he did not sign any Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) for Apollo Quiboloy.

“I am not aware of who signed his CONA (Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance),” Matula clarified in a tweet on X (formerly Twitter).

His statement came after he was asked on the said social media platform regarding his involvement in the signing of Quiboloy’s CONA on behalf of the Workers’ and Peasants’ Party (WPP).

Quiboloy, who is in detention due to several criminal cases, filed a certificate of candidacy (COC) for Senator for the 2025 Midterm Elections on Tuesday.

“I am not aware who signed his CONA (Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance),” said Matula.

“Only three individuals are authorized to sign on behalf of WPP: the Chair, the President, and the Senior Vice President. As President, I can confirm that I did not sign any CONA for Quiboloy,” he added.

Matula added that upon inquiring, Atty. Ariel Arias, WPP chairman nd Dr. Oscar Morado, who sits as the senior vice president, said they have ‘no knowledge” of signing a CONA on behalf of the religious leader.

Matula stressed their group will inquire with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) regarding who signed the CONA.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia earlier confirmed that Quiboloy filed a Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for the 2025 senatorial race.

Mark Tolentino, Quiboloy’s legal counsel, said the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader would be pushing for the protection of religious freedom.

“The people will campaign for him. Pastor Apollo Quiboloy is running for Senator of the Republic of the Philippines because he wants to be a part of the solution. His platform of government is God-centered, Philippine-centered, and Filipino-centered, and his priority is religious freedom,” he said.

Tolentino said such advocacies are reflected in the KOJC, the Davao City-based  religious group headed by Quiboloy.

“The things Pastor did in the KOJC, he will do the same for all Filipinos,” Tolentino added.

Among the cases Quiboloy is facing include the alleged violation of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and qualified human trafficking charges. —RF, GMA Integrated News