Quiboloy firmed up Senate run after KOJC 'siege' —lawyer

Detained televangelist Apollo Quiboloy wanted to run for public office as a form of protest after the raids at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) last year, when he was arrested due to human trafficking and child abuse charges, his lawyer said Thursday.

Lawyer Israelito Torreon issued the remark when asked when Quiboloy first expressed his intent to run for office — if it came after his debacle with the law or before it.

“Honestly it came after the siege. This is— you may call it as a protest run and he came to think that and realize that he can serve the country likewise, especially that he became a target of political demolition,” he said in an ambush interview.

Authorities conducted numerous attempts to serve arrest warrants against Quiboloy starting August last year. Tensions also rose between cops and Quiboloy’s supporters, who gathered in front of the KOJC compound.

Quiboloy surrendered to authorities in September 2024 after he was given an ultimatum to turn himself in within 24 hours.

Torreon said Quiboloy realized that he could contribute to the discussion and formulation of laws in the country. 

“It may be a belated decision but we are supporting him in that regard,” he said.

LOOK: Atty. Israelito Torreon says client KOJC leader Apollo Quiboloy wanted to run for public office after the KOJC “siege,” adds that it can be called a “protest run” @gmanews pic.twitter.com/Zzcn2lGhlf

— Joahna Lei Casilao (@joahnacasilao) January 16, 2025

Meanwhile, Torreon said their camp is hoping that the Supreme Court (SC) will dismiss the petition seeking to reverse the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) allowing Quiboloy to run for senator.

“There is no rhyme nor reason why Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy should be disqualified. He has all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications to be a candidate for senator this coming elections,” Torreon said.

He said Quiboloy should be allowed to run as he would be able to contribute to the passage of laws.

Aside from this, Torreon said that the charges Quiboloy is facing are not grounds to disqualify him due to the presumption of innocence.

The KOJC leader is currently facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, before the Pasig court.—LDF, GMA Integrated News

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.