Pasig court rejects Quiboloy’s ABS-CBN interview request
MANILA, Philippines – A regional court in Pasig City rejected on Monday, January 13, the plea of detained doomsday preacher and senatorial aspirant Apollo Quiboloy to participate in an interview with the ABS-CBN News Channel.
In a two-page ruling, Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa of the Regional Trial Court Branch 159 in Pasig denied Quiboloy’s motion to join the live interview scheduled for 2 pm on Tuesday, January 14.
The interview seeks to tackle issues surrounding Quiboloy’s certificate of candidacy, which he filed in October 2024.
“As a note, while this Court recognizes the right of the accused Quiboloy to seek public office and to engage in lawful campaign activities, this right is not absolute and remains subject to regulation by the Court. After all, accused Quiboloy is not restricted to the live media interview as his sole means of campaigning and sharing his platform with the public,” read part of Montesa’s ruling.
The court said Quiboloy’s statements during the interview could have legal consequences and risk affecting the integrity of his ongoing case. Comments on the merits of his case or remarks influencing public perception of the judiciary could undermine the judicial process.
The ruling noted that Quiboloy failed to support his plea under court rules, including not submitting a formal invitation from ABS-CBN, which the court could have used to set parameters.
The preacher and close friend of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte has been charged with qualified trafficking in Pasig. He also has another case before a Quezon City court for child and sexual abuses.
Quiboloy, who faces multiple charges, was arrested in Davao City last September, ending weeks of a standoff at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) church compound and months of a manhunt.
He is accused of manipulating and exploiting his followers, as well as committing sexual and child abuse, human trafficking, and fraud-related offenses in both the Philippines and the United States. The alleged sexual predator and human trafficker has been on the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most-wanted list since early 2022, but the US has yet to file an extradition request.
In December, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) dismissed a petition to disqualify the controversial preacher which, in effect, greenlit Quiboloy’s candidacy.
It cited procedural lapses and insufficient evidence, and ruled that the ongoing criminal cases against Quiboloy do not warrant disqualification without a final verdict. His certificate of nomination was also upheld, with no material misrepresentation found in his status as an independent candidate. – Rappler.com