Pastor Apollo Quiboloy files certificate of candidacy for senator in 2025 elections

Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy—who is currently facing charges in line with sexual abuse of children, exploitation, and human trafficking, among others—seeking a Senate seat in the 2025 polls.

Sonshine Media Network Inc., KOJC's official media arm, confirmed that Quiboloy filed his certificate of candidacy for senator on Tuesday, Oct. 8. 

“With the vision of bringing faith and service to the forefront of governance, Pastor Apollo stands with this powerful message: ‘Para sa Diyos at sa Pilipinas Kong Mahal!’” SMNI tweeted.

As seen in a photo shared by The Philippine STAR, the embattled religious leader submitted his COC through a representative.

Quiboloy is currently detained for several criminal cases including sexual abuse of children, exploitation, and human trafficking, among others.

His legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, said in a statement that his client “voluntarily surrendered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces” on Sept. 8 after a weeks-long search at the KOJC compound that started on Aug. 24.

Courts in Davao and Pasig issued arrest orders against Quiboloy and his associates for sexual abuse of a minor, child abuse, and qualified trafficking.

A Senate committee headed by Sen. Risa Hontiveros also issued an arrest order against Quiboloy after he refused to attend Senate hearings on his alleged crimes.

During the hearings, KOJC members came forward with stories of abuse, including minors being forced to give sexual services to Quiboloy. They were also allegedly coerced to beg for money from strangers.

Quiboloy has since maintained that the cases filed against him are trumped up. He also claimed that there were threats to his life while he was in hiding.