Matula, WPP asks SC: Reverse decision allowing Quiboloy to run

Labor leader and senatorial candidate Sonny Matula and the Workers' and Peasants' Party (WPP) on Wednesday filed a petition asking the Supreme Court (SC) to reverse the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) allowing detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy to run for senator.

In their petition, the WPP and Matula asked the SC to reverse the rulings of the Comelec dismissing the labor leader's petition to cancel the certificate of candidacy (COC) of Quiboloy for material misrepresentation.

They also asked the high court for the promulgation of a new decision declaring Quiboloy as a nuisance candidate in the upcoming elections.

"Quiboloy should be declared a nuisance candidate as his candidacy undermines the credibility of the elections. It appears to be a strategic ploy to evade accountability and obscure the legal challenges he is facing," the petition read.

The KOJC leader is currently facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act 9208, as amended, before the Pasig court.

He is also facing charges under Section 5(b) and Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act before a Quezon City court.

GMA News Online has asked Quiboloy's camp for comment but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

For his part, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the matter is up to the SC to decide.

The Comelec First Division dismissed Matula's petition in December 2024, ruling that "there is a dearth of evidence presented by Petitioner that could convince us that the Respondent should be declared as a nuisance candidate."

This was later affirmed by the Comelec en Banc. — VDV, GMA Integrated News