Quiboloy video shown at prayer rally without court’s permission
A Pasig City judge has ordered detained senatorial candidate Apollo Quiboloy to explain why a video featuring the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder was played during a prayer service for his followers on Feb. 9 and posted online without the court’s permission.
In a Feb. 12 order, acting Presiding Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa of the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 159 asked Quiboloy and his lawyer Israelito Torreon why the recording was aired “before the Court had the opportunity to review and approve the same.”
“Accordingly, Atty. Israelito Torreon and accused Apollo C. Quiboloy are directed to SHOW CAUSE within five (5) days from receipt of this Order why the aforesaid video was aired on February 9, 2025,” the order read in part.
The court also asked the pair to explain why the video was posted on the Facebook page of KOJC’s media arm Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), “without a court approval, in clear violation of the guidelines and parameters set by this Court.”
Back in jail
The KOJC founder had stayed in various hospitals for pneumonia and hypertension for about a month until the court ordered his transfer back to the Pasig City Jail on Feb. 12.
Quiboloy is facing two counts of human trafficking before the Pasig court and another two counts of child abuse before a Quezon City court. He is also wanted in the United States for alleged sex trafficking of children, conspiracy and bulk cash smuggling.
With his local cases still being heard, he was allowed to run for senator under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, the party of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who considers Quiboloy as his spiritual adviser and political ally.
Based on the court document, the video was shown during a gathering of members of Quiboloy’s sect on Feb. 9 and posted on SMNI’s Facebook page the next day.
The campaign period for senatorial candidates started on Feb. 11.
During his proclamation rally at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City on Feb. 11, Quiboloy’s camp played a video of the KOJC leader, but it wasn’t clear if the court was referring to the same footage.
In that video apparently taken from a hospital, Quiboloy, a self-proclaimed “appointed Son of God,” claimed he had a divine calling to enter politics to bring stability and development to the country “until it reaches first-world status.”
‘VIP treatment’
A group of former political prisoners criticized the alleged “VIP treatment” given to the detainee. Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto said it was “highly questionable” that Quiboloy was allowed to record the video in the first place.
“It is well-known that persons under BJMP (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology) custody are strictly prohibited from using or possessing cameras, video equipment, cellular phones and similar devices,” the group said.
During a press conference on Tuesday, however, Torreon clarified that the video was aired “with a court sanction and order granted after a full-blown hearing.”
“We filed a motion that he be allowed to be present during media interviews, or in the alternative, at the very least, he should be allowed to tape his messages to the people in rallies, such as the Feb. 9, Feb. 11 and Feb. 12 events,” he said.
“Eventually, the court denied our first motion that he personally appear in interviews but granted our motion that he would tape his messages to his supporters on Feb. 9, Feb, 11, Feb. 13, if my memory serves me right,” Torreon said.
Granted permission
Last week, Jail Supt. Jayrex Bustinera, BJMP spokesperson, said the court granted permission on Feb. 7 for Quiboloy to record a video for his campaign.
After complaining of breathing difficulties last month while in detention at the male dormitory of the Pasig jail, Quiboloy was brought to the state-run Rizal Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia.
He was transferred on the same day to the privately run The Medical City, where he was further assessed for treatment. He was later transferred to Pasig City General Hospital before being moved back to jail.
