Labor group disowns Quiboloy, Senate bid

MANILA, Philippines — Detained pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s bid for the Senate next year is expected to face challenges after officials of the party he supposedly belongs to said they did not sign his certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA).

In the certificate of candidacy (COC) Quiboloy filed last Tuesday through his representative and lawyer Mark Tolentino, the pastor said he would run under the Workers and Peasants Party.

However, WPP president and senatorial aspirant Sonny Matula said he was not aware of who signed Quiboloy’s CONA.

“Only three individuals are authorized to sign on behalf of WPP: the chair, the president, and the senior vice president (SVP). As president, I can confirm that I did not sign any CONA for Quiboloy,” Matula said on X.

“Upon inquiring, the other two, Atty. Ariel Arias (chair) and Dr. Oscar Morado (SVP), have also stated that they have no knowledge of signing a CONA for him,” he added.

He added an investigation is now underway on who issued a CONA to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader. It seeks to determine how the imprisoned pastor was able to obtain the certificate from WPP.

“We want to categorically state that Quiboloy has no official endorsement from the leadership of WPP and is not a member of the party,” Matula said in a statement issued yesterday.

“While Mr. Quiboloy remains innocent until proven guilty, the WPP cannot, under any circumstance, endorse an individual facing serious allegations, including trafficking, money laundering and sexual abuse of minors,” he stressed.

He also pointed out that WPP rejects any unauthorized faction that attempts to use the name of their party.

He said the WPP is taking necessary legal action to protect the party’s name.

Tolentino, in an interview with ANC, said it was he who signed the detained pastor’s CONA, claiming that he is the legitimate president of the WPP.

“There is a faction within the two groups. I am the president of this group and there is a certification from Comelec (Commission on Elections) that we are the legitimate (group),” he said.

“We believe that the legitimate officers of WPP (are on) my side. We are the majority and there is a certification from Comelec