Karapatan hits Quiboloy proclamation event; lawyer denies special treatment

Human rights group Karapatan questioned the airing of a recorded video of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy during his proclamation rally on February 11 despite being detained.

During his proclamation rally at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig, Quiboloy's message was shown on a wide screen before his supporters, which began his official campaign as a senatorial candidate.

Several candidates of PDP-Laban were also present at the event.

The Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder is facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208 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.

He has repeatedly denied the allegations. He is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail.

Responding to Karapatan, his camp denied allegations of VIP treatment.

In a statement on Friday, Quiboloy’s spokesperson Atty. Israelito Toreon said that since he was not yet found guilty, Quiboloy had the presumption of innocence and that his civil and political rights remained intact.

“With due respect to Karapatan, the court order allowing Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to record his video message happened only after a tedious hearing that was conducted where the court heard our side and the vehement objections filed by the Prosecution,” Torreon said.

Torreon added that Quiboloy’s cases had been previously dismissed, and only revived when it was “politically fashionable” to attack.

“When there was already a finding of probable cause, the information were hurriedly filed and up to this day, his motion for reconsideration with the DOJ from the adverse finding of probable cause has remained unacted until now,” said Torreon.

“All these prove that Karapatan's complaint is nothing but another politically slanted and biased attack against Pastor ACQ which should not merit the attention of the Filipino people,” he added.

BJMP spokesperson Jail Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera had also clarified that Quiboloy was allowed to record his campaign videos as a result of a court order.

“We also want to clarify regarding his video during the campaign, may court order ito at pinayagan siya mag-video recording for campaign purpose,” he said.

(We also want to clarify regarding his video during the campaign, there was a court order and he was allowed to make a video recording for campaign purposes.)

“While confined at [Pasig City General Hospital], the court granted Quiboloy permission on February 7, 2025, to record a video for his senatorial campaign purposes,” he added.

Quiboloy was returned to the BJMP facility in Pasig on Wednesday after receiving medical clearance.

According to private prosecutor Attorney Joeie Domingo, Quiboloy must be transferred to the facility "unless there is a clear showing that accused Quiboloy is actually suffering from a medical condition requiring immediate and specialized attention."

Before the transfer, he was staying at a government hospital as he suffered from pneumonia. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News

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