Supporters ramp up Quiboloy's Senate bid

Local

PASTOR Apollo Quiboloy may be facing legal obstacles and political tensions but his supporters remain optimistic about his Senate campaign, launching nationwide rallies to boost his candidacy.

On Tuesday night, February 11, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) held simultaneous proclamation rallies across the country, with Cebu’s event taking place in Liloan town.

Allan Tamondong, KOJC’s lead campaigner for the Visayas, said their team is ramping up efforts to expand Quiboloy’s reach, including house-to-house campaigns in Cebu.

“We are not only relying on our KOJC members here, but we are also reaching out to the strong Duterte supporters in Cebu to convince them to vote for Pastor Quiboloy,” Tamondong said.

He added that their team is actively countering negative narratives about Quiboloy by conducting an information drive.

“There are a lot of people who do not know Pastor Quiboloy. If they only listen to the mainstream media, they will have a negative perception. That’s why we are pushing for an information drive to let people know who he really is,” he said.

Quiboloy, founder of KOJC, faces multiple legal cases both in the Philippines and the United States, including allegations of sexual abuse and human trafficking.

His legal battles have drawn attention from human rights groups and law enforcement agencies.

Still, his supporters remain steadfast, dismissing the accusations as politically motivated.

Tamondong said Quiboloy is running for the Senate to push for reforms in governance, tourism, agriculture, and national security.

He said Quiboloy sees the nation struggling, with rampant corruption affecting governance.

Addressing corruption, particularly in tourism, is among his priorities, as he believes the sector has significant economic potential.

Quiboloy also advocates for sustainability in food production, focusing on agriculture as a key source of income.

On national security, Tamondong said Quiboloy wants to take a strong stance against terrorism as part of his vision for the country.

His ties to former President Rodrigo Duterte have further fueled debates, especially amid political shifts in the current administration.

Duterte has suggested that the actions against Quiboloy are meant to divert public attention from more pressing national issues. He has also accused the government of targeting Quiboloy and his allies as part of a broader political agenda.

As the official campaign period kicks off on February 16, Quiboloy’s camp is pressing forward, relying on grassroots mobilization, religious backing, and Duterte’s voter base to strengthen his candidacy.

“Our leaders and supporters will be there. We will have identified coordinators for households, streets, markets, and public places,” Tamondong said.

He emphasized that their campaign is structured to reach both religious and political supporters.

“Our campaign is not just about our church members. We are reaching out to voters across different communities, talking to them house to house,” he said.

Tamondong outlined upcoming rallies, including one in Minglanilla town in Cebu, on March 8 and another in Bacolod City in Negros Occidental on March 20, as part of their efforts to connect with voters across the country.(MyTVCebu)