The arrest of Filipino religious leader Apollo Quiboloy comes amid the ongoing clash between the Marcos and Duterte dynasties, and exposes the dangers of an unholy alliance between religion and politics, says this Ateneo de Manila University lecturer.
Apollo Quiboloy , pastor and founder of the Philippine-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ church, arrives to attend the arraignment at Pasig City Regional Trial Court in Metro Manila on Sep 13, 2024. gave himself many titles: Senior pastor. Appointed son of God. Owner of the universe. But on Sep 8, the once-influential Filipino televangelist and spiritual adviser to former president Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on more earthly charges: Human trafficking, and child and sexual abuse.
Duterte admitted that Quiboloy would offer him material gifts such as properties and cars but claimed that he would refuse them. Recently, a whistleblower said that Quiboloy would also gift women to Duterte and other officials. Quiboloy gave his blessing for the 2010 elections to Gilberto Teodoro, Arroyo’s defence secretary and the administration candidate, as he was the Almighty Father’s “appointed” one. Teodoro placed a distant fourth that year, which saw the election of his cousin, Benigno Aquino III.
KOJC’s media arm, Sonshine Media Network International , turned into an all-out propaganda platform for Uniteam, carrying full coverage of their campaign rallies and programmes featuring hosts who regularly attacked their opponents. Marcos Jr skipped all presidential debates save for the one organised by SMNI.
Politically, the Marcoses have the opportunity to neutralise a key ally of the Dutertes. Since the alliance’s breakup, SMNI had become the voice of the so-called Duterte-led “opposition”, covering rallies that called for Marcos’ resignation. Vice President Sara Duterte even apologised to KOJC members for making them support Marcos Jr, and claimed that the raids violated the group’s religious freedom.
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