Apollo Quiboloy and Victor Rodriguez have officially filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) to run for senator in the 2025 elections.
Rodriguez previously served as the executive secretary to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
According to Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia, Quiboloy’s COC was submitted by his legal counsel, Atty. Mark Tolentino.
Tolentino stated that Quiboloy, currently in detention, is committed to advocating for the protection of religious freedom.
“The people will campaign for him. Pastor Apollo Quiboloy is running for Senator of the Republic of the Philippines because he wants to contribute to the solution.
His platform is centered on God, the Philippines, and the Filipino people, with a strong focus on religious freedom,” Tolentino explained.
“Pastor Quiboloy believes religious freedom is sacred and must be safeguarded by the government. Furthermore, the poor should receive protection, especially in terms of health services, with access to free medicine and medical care.
Pastor Quiboloy aims to be the senator of the poor, ordinary Filipinos.
He will be accessible and open to hearing their concerns.
His goals include improving education and eliminating corruption,” he added.
Quiboloy, leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), faces various charges, including child abuse and qualified human trafficking.
He is also involved in cases in the United States, including fraud, coercion, sex trafficking of children, conspiracy, and bulk cash smuggling, among others.
Quiboloy has denied all accusations.
Meanwhile, Victor Rodriguez, who served as Marcos’ executive secretary for more than three months in 2022 before stepping down, said he will lead the “true opposition.”
“Our goal from the campaign has always been good governance, tempering greed, and curbing corruption. However, I witnessed the opposite.
There was widespread corruption and no intent to control it,” Rodriguez stated.
“I believe that the most important thing we must oppose, whether elected or not, whether we are ordinary citizens or not, is the rampant corruption,” he added.
Rodriguez will be running as an independent candidate.