KOJC leader Apollo Quiboloy arrives at the Senate of the Philippines to attend a hearing on October 23, 2024. Senate PRIB/File

MANILA — Labor leader and senatorial candidate Sonny Matula on Wednesday filed a petition before the Supreme Court (SC) to prevent Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy from running for senator.

Quiboloy faces Senate probe on alleged trafficking, sexual abuses

In his petition filed as President of the Workers’ and Peasants’ Party, Matula said the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to allow Quiboloy to run should be reversed and set aside.

He also asked the court to issue a decision declaring Quiboloy a nuisance candidate for the 2025 elections in light of his on-going qualified human trafficking and child abuse cases in court.

Who is Apollo Quiboloy?

“Sa palagay namin ay ginagamit lang nila ang proseso o prosesong elektoral para i-cover up ang mga hinaharap niyang kaso,” Matula said.

Matula’s party was the political party initially used by Quiboloy, without authority from the group, in the filing of his certificate of candidacy until he changed it and became an independent candidate.

Aside from local cases, Quiboloy also faces legal troubles in the US.

On November 10, 2021, a US federal warrant was issued against Quiboloy after he was indicted for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children among other charges.

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