The proclamation rally of independent senatorial candidate Apollo Quiboloy became a preview of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan’s (PDP-Laban) show of strength with the attendance of some of its senatorial candidates on the first day of the campaign period for Eleksyon 2025.
PDP-Laban senatorial candidates Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Atty. Jimmy Bondoc, Atty. Jayvee Hinlo Jr., Atty. Raul Lambino and former NTF-ELCAC executive director Allen Capuyan were present at Quiboloy’s proclamation and delivered their messages.
In a video message shown on a wide screen at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, the leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ said he would bring prosperity and goodwill among Filipinos if elected senator.
“Madaming pulitiko ang bansang ito pero walang leader. Ako, hindi ako pulitiko, kundi isang leader. Hindi ako tradisyunal na politiko na papasok lang ako sa pulitika upang ang layunin ay magpayaman sa sarili, magnakaw sa kaban ng bayan at manlinlang sa mga tao,” Quiboloy said.
“Ako ay isang na magdadala ng kabutihan, kasaganahan, katatagan at kahusayan,. Bibigyan ko sila ng direksyon kung saan dapat pupunta ang Pilipinas,” he added in his video message as two life-size standees of him stood prominently on the stage.
The names and images of the other PDP-Laban candidates were also onstage.
Though running as an independent, Quiboloy is being backed by the PDP-Laban of former president Rodrigo Duterte, his friend.
Duterte is expected to endorse the PDP-Laban bets in its proclamation rally on Thursday, February 13 in San Juan City.
Quiboloy is facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208 before the Pasig court.
He is also facing charges under Section 5(b) and Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act before a Quezon City court. He has repeatedly denied the allegations.
Since Quiboloy is under hospital arrest, he said the entire PDP-Laban and their supporters would be his representatives. He also called on his “purple army” to help spread his leadership.
“Sa lahat ng foot soldiers, sa lahat ng purple army na dadalaw sa Pilipinas upang ipakilala ang leadership ng inyong pastor. Maraming mga pwedeng bumoto sa ibang bansa hindi lang sa Pilipinas kaya ‘wag kayong magpapaniwala sa mga survey na ganito ganoon,” he said.
“Ako ay nananalangin na mabuksan ang mata ng tao, para makita nila ang leadership ng anak ng Diyos. Pinalabas kayo para ang leadership na ito ay maipapamahagi sa bansang Pilipinas na napakaraming pulitiko pero walang leader,” he added.
In between speeches and performances of his supporters, video clips were presented showing Quiboloy responding to questions on current issues.
Dela Rosa said that like Quiboloy, he does not consider himself a politician and asked the audience to call him instead “a fighter.”
In a separate ambush interview, he said the PDP-Laban senatorial bets are aligned on their platforms as a team.
“Very aligned (kami), I don’t see any misalignment on our personal advocacies and we are supportive of each other’s advocacy,” he said.
Bondoc, a lawyer and singer, said he admired Quiboloy for fighting for the Filipinos guided by the “10 Commandments.” He also sang before the crowd.
Lambino, a lawyer, said he was familiar with legislative work, having had congressmen and senators as past clients.
“Ang importante sa isang lingkod bayan ay ang kanyang pagmamahal ay nanggagaling sa puso,” he said, before belting out “The Impossible Dream.”
Capuyan, who was also a former chairman of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, said he would devote most of his time to his constituents if he won a seat.
“Dapat walang pondo ang congressman at senador para sa mga proyekto, trabaho ‘yan ng mayor, dapat gumagawa sila ng batas, 80 percent of their time sa tao,” he said.
Hinlo, another lawyer, said he would focus his fight on stopping corruption in government.
Meanwhile, lawyer Israelito Torreon, Quiboloy’s legal counsel, said the pastor was now recovering and assured that he was healthy. He said a motion for house arrest, citing the Mandela Rules had been filed by their camp.
“(He’s) 74-years-old po. And he’s healthy, he plays basketball. Dahil sa abrupt change of environment, inuubo po siya. Ngayon, nag-file kami na sana ma-extend yung kanyang stay sa ospital. At saka nag-file po kami ng motion for house arrest. And we invoked the Mandela Rules,” he said.
“If you will search on Google what are the Mandela Rules, these are actually rules which are governed under international law, which was espoused by Nelson Mandela, former president of South America, who was in jail for many years. And he was able to craft certain policies which are applicable to prisoners. And even in Mandela Rules, it recognizes certain rights to prisoners,” he added.
According to him, Quiboloy’s senatorial race is a “sign of protest against political harassment in the country” as he will be the main warrior against corruption.
“He will introduce laws that will actually fight corruption. As to what will these be, listen to my speech mamaya. At saka si Pastor din meron din siyang mensahe na naka-tape po at meron na po itong court approval na pwede po ipapakita sa taong bayan kasi matagal po na big-debate yun kung papayagan ba niya sa preso na meron naman siyang presumption of innocence,” Torreon said.—LDF/NB, GMA Integrated News
