Comelec okays Quiboloy Senate bid

Detained televangelist and Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KoJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy has been allowed to seek a Senate seat after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) junked a disqualification case against him.

In a 14-page decision promulgated on 18 December, the Comelec First Division ruled that the petitioner, labor leader Sonny Matula, failed to provide sufficient evidence to cancel Quiboloy’s Certificate of Candidacy (CoC).

In October, Matula filed a petition for disqualification against the detained pastor, alleging that his candidacy under the Workers and Peasants Party (WPP) had no factual and legal basis since Quiboloy’s certificate of nomination and acceptance (CoNA) was signed by an unauthorized individual.

Matula argued that the CoNA was signed by Quiboloy’s lawyer, Mark Tolentino, an individual who, he said, “is neither an officer nor a member of the WPP.” Matula is a member of the WPP.

The labor leader said that Quiboloy’s submission of an unauthorized CoNA together with his CoC was “tantamount to a material misrepresentation, and therefore a ground for his disqualification and the cancellation of his CoC.”

No misrepresentation found

However, the Comelec ruled that this did not constitute a “material misrepresentation” under election laws.

“The petition deserves scant consideration for being unmeritorious and should be dismissed,” the resolution read.

The poll body explained that membership or nomination by a political party is not among the qualifications for the position of senator.

“Thus, the submission of a CoNA that was signed by an unauthorized individual is not equivalent to a material misrepresentation that will affect the respondent’s eligibility,” the resolution further read.

Quiboloy formalized his senatorial bid on 8 October and withdrew his CoNA on 21 October, opting to run as an independent candidate.

He is currently detained in Camp Crame in Quezon City and is facing human trafficking and child abuse charges.