KOJC: Member who accepted plea deal in US case 'remains loyal' to Quiboloy

A human resource manager of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) who entered a plea deal abroad remains loyal to KOJC founder Apollo Quiboloy and will not “persecute” other members, according to the religious group.

“She also remains loyal to Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy and will not be working to persecute a KOJC member or full time missionary,” it said in a statement posted on its website on Thursday.

Earlier this week, Marissa Duenas, a KOJC HR manager in Van Nuys, agreed to plead guilty to the conspiracy charge to defraud the US in exchange for a reduced sentence.

Duenas admitted to reaching an agreement with others to commit marriage fraud.

She is a co-accused of Maria De Leon, who is said to have processed fraudulent documents for church members.

Following this, the KOJC said that the US government has dropped the cases of human trafficking, money laundering, and forced labor against Duenas.

The Justice Department said only the cases against Duenas were dismissed.

“All the charges against all other defendants remain pending, and trial is tentatively scheduled to begin on May 20, 2025,” it said in a statement.

According to the KOJC, Duenas violated the US marriage laws “in her sincerity to the cause of doing good to humanity and in her commitment to serving God.”

It said that Duenas takes full responsibility for her actions.

For its part, the Department of Justice has said that prosecutors will use Duenas' plea bargain in the cases against Quiboloy in the Philippines.

Quiboloy and the others are facing charges for child abuse before a Quezon City court. He is also facing charges for qualified trafficking before a Pasig court.

Aside from his legal troubles in the Philippines, Quiboloy is also facing charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and sex trafficking of children; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling in the United States.

Quiboloy, who is in detention, has filed his certificate of candidacy for senator for the 2025 elections.

--VAL/VBL, GMA Integrated News