Gabriela bats for Quiboloy’s DQ
The women’s rights group Gabriela has called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to immediately disqualify detained televangelist and senatorial candidate Apollo Quiboloy for his alleged crimes against women and children.
“It is absolutely revolting that a man accused of rape and sexual abuse of minors is being allowed to seek public office,” said Gabriela secretary general Clarice Palce in a statement.
“This is not just a mockery of our electoral process but a direct assault on the dignity of rape survivors and victims of sexual abuse and human trafficking,’ she added.
Quiboloy, who is the founder of the Davao-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ sect, is accused of two counts of human trafficking and two counts of child abuse before the Pasig and Quezon City regional courts.
While his cases are still being heard, the self-proclaimed “Son of God” was allowed to run for senator under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, the party of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Quiboloy served as spiritual adviser and is also a close friend of the former president.
Gabriela said that Quiboloy’s candidacy, along with the “special privileges” afforded to him while in detention, “reflects the deeply entrenched culture of impunity in the country where powerful men accused of violence against women and children can still aspire for positions of power.”
“We will not allow an abuser to sit in government. Allowing the candidacy of Quiboloy proves that the electoral system under the Marcos government serves as (a) protection for the powerful, the abuser, and the human trafficker,” Palce said.
On Friday, the Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (Selda) also denounced the “VIP treatment” given to Quiboloy by authorities after being allowed to record and release a campaign video during his proclamation rally at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig on Feb. 11.
The group of former political prisoners said it was highly questionable why Quiboloy was given permission since those under the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology are prohibited from using and possessing cameras, video equipment, and similar devices.
“We in Selda decry the double standard being applied to detainees, with overly strict rules for poor detainees and political prisoners and extra special treatment for moneyed, powerful and influential people like Quiboloy,” said Selda vice chair Danilo de la Fuente in a statement.
Gabriela called on other women’s rights advocates and the rest of the public to “reject child sexual predators and criminals in government like Quiboloy” while demanding accountability for his crimes.
Read: Labor lawyer, workers’ group ask Supreme Court to disqualify Quiboloy
