CA freezes Quiboloy, KOJC assets, accounts

MANILA, Philippines — The Court of Appeals (CA) has issued a 20-day freeze order against the bank accounts, properties and other assets of accused child abuser and fugitive preacher Apollo Quiboloy, his church and media group.

In a 48-page resolution dated Aug. 7, the appellate court granted the petition of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), which found 330 substantial financial transactions of Quiboloy from 2006 to 2022 that “appear to be directly sourced from unlawful activities” of Quiboloy, his cohorts and ministry.

“In order to avoid the possibility of the funds in the subject bank accounts and/or properties from being withdrawn, removed, transferred, concealed or placed beyond the reach of law enforcers, this Court finds it appropriate and judicious to issue a 20-day FREEZE ORDER as prayed for by petitioner (AMLC) over said bank accounts, including all other related or materially linked accounts, and the real and personal properties enumerated in the Ex-Parte Petition,” the CA order read.

The freeze order resolution was written by Associate Justice Gabriel Robeniol with the concurrence of Associate Justices Ramon Bato Jr. and Charlene Hernandez-Azura.

Covered by the freeze order are at least 10 personal bank accounts under Quiboloy’s name, seven real properties and five motor vehicles.

The freeze order also included Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ and Swara Sug Media Corp., which owns Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI)’s franchise.

The KOJC has 47 bank accounts, 16 real properties and 16 motor vehicles while Swara Sug has 17 bank accounts, five real properties and 26 motor vehicles.

A total of 99 bank accounts under the names of individuals and entities associated with Quiboloy were also ordered frozen, namely Children’s Joy Foundation Inc., Maria Teresita Dandan, Helen Panilag, Paulene Canada, Cresente Canada, Ingrid Canada, Sylvia Cemañes, Jackielyn Roy, Alona Santander and Marlon Acobo.

The CA gave the banks and concerned government agencies 24 hours from the receipt of the freeze order to submit a return on their compliance, which include relevant information on the frozen bank accounts and assets.

They are likewise tasked to