MANILA – Detained televangelist Apollo Quiboloy on Tuesday issued a video message to supporters for this year’s elections, saying running for senator is "God’s mission" for him.

In his over 20-minute video shown during the tail-end of his proclamation rally at the Ynares Gym in Pasig City, Quiboloy said he wanted to correct the wrongs in the current administration — including corruption.

“Itong lahat ay may basbas at may kalooban ng Dakilang Ama kaya ako ay nagpapasalamat… ang panahon natin ngayon, Glorification era, may panibagong misyon… hindi man natin nauunawaan sa simula ngunit ang direksyon ay papunta doon na kahit ako sa simula ay hindi ko nga alam,” said Quiboloy.

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“Nandito ako sa piitan at kung titingnan mo sa isang makataong pananaw, ito ay masama para sa akin ngunit tingnan niyo sa esperitwal standpoint, ito ay blessing in disguise,” he said.

He claimed that God told him to enter politics since he was persecuted politically.

“Anak pumasok ka sa larangan ng secular na pamamahala’ in other words sa pulitika. Sapagkat 'yan ang kapangyarihan na umaapi-api sa’yo,” the pastor said.

The purpose for his running in politics, he said, is to bring peace and order in the Philippines.

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“Ako ay binigyan ng direksyon ng Diyos na by force of circumstance, ako ay pumasok sa larangan ng pulitika na kalooban ng Diyos na kung tayo ay pagpapalain dito, dadalhin natin ang mga prinsipyo ng kaharian,” he said.

His spokesperson and legal counsel, Atty. Israelito Torreon, said they will do their best to campaign for the embattled pastor, even if he is detained.

“Marami masyadong nagvo-volunteer. As in hindi mga miyembro ni Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. Nandyan din ang tulong ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at saka ang hanay ng PDP-Laban. Lahat 'yan, nag-isa-isa para tulungan si Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy para tuloy na maipadala ang kanyang mensahe sa katauhan ng Republika ng Pilipinas,” said Torreon.

He believes Quiboloy is a victim of political persecution.

“Sabihin natin na magpapasa siya ng batas, ipapa-strengthen ang truth commission. Yung Ombudsman dapat mapalakas. He will also focus on development programs, he will be passing laws that will provide jobs to our people,” he said.

Some of the supporters, meanwhile, said they were saddened by their leader’s absence.

“Kina-campaign siya ng mga tao... Mabait, matulungin, mapagmahal sa kapwa... Medyo malungkot. Wala na 'yung pastor namin eh,” said Joan Mangabat.

Quiboloy, he says, is currently recovering from pneumonia in a Pasig hospital.