Duterte named Quiboloy group property administrator

MANILA, Philippines — Former president Rodrigo Duterte has been named administrator of the vast properties of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) religious group headed by his former spiritual adviser Apollo Quiboloy.

Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), media arm of the KOJC, posted on X Duterte’s designation as administrator of KOJC’s estate. 

Duterte accepted the designation, his former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea told The STAR.

SMNI is under indefinite suspension by the National Telecommunications Commission.

Duterte’s program “Gikan sa Masa para sa Masa,” along with another program, “Laban Kasama ng Bayan,” was also suspended by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board following complaints that they had been airing profanity and death threats as well as broadcasting unverified data.

“Former president Rodrigo Duterte is appointed as new administrator for KOJC properties,” SMNI posted on X.

Quiboloy is in hiding from prosecution – and possible arrest by US authorities – for sex trafficking, rape, fraud and cash smuggling.

Duterte was named estate administrator after California Judge Terry Hatter Jr. ordered the unsealing of the arrest warrants against Quiboloy and his co-accused upon the request of the US Attorney General Criminal Division.

The sect leader and self-styled appointed “son of God” is facing sex trafficking, fraud, conspiracy and bulk cash smuggling charges in the US.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice said it has yet to receive a request from the US for the extradition of Quiboloy.

“There is no extradition request received yet by the DOJ from the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs). It’s difficult, however, to speak on hypothetical situations,” DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano said in a text message to reporters.

“The government’s goal is to attain justice in whatever form and through the best forum. The decision to resolve came as a result of almost a year of verifying the evidence on record as well as the identity of the alleged victim,” Clavano said.

DOJ case

The DOJ also recently ordered the filing of sexual abuse and qualified trafficking charges against Quiboloy.

This came after the reversal of a 2020 decision of the Davao City prosecutor’s office, which dismissed the charges of rape, child abuse and human trafficking against the sect leader and his followers.

Regarding SMNI’s franchise issue with the House of Representatives, Quiboloy’s lawyers confirmed their receipt of a subpoena for his attendance to the March 12 hearing by the committee on legislative franchises but clarified that he was not the owner of the network.

The committee, headed by Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting, had issued a subpoena to Quiboloy to attend the panel’s hearing on alleged franchise violation of SMNI.

In a letter to Tambunting dated March 8, Quiboloy’s lawyers Ferdinand Topacio, Joselito Lomangaya and Raphael Antonio Andrada said it is “important … to clarify that Pastor Quiboloy has not been involved in the management and operations of SMNI since the last quarter of 2018.”

The lawyers did not categorically say if he was skipping the hearing. “In fact, (Quiboloy) was therefore definitely no longer such when the franchise of SMNI was renewed in 22 August 2019,” they said.

They said the Securities and Exchange Commission had also been informed of “his substitution by Mr. Marlon Acobo” as executive pastor of KOJC in a filing in December 2022, as reflected in the amended Articles of Incorporation released in January 2023.

The letter stated that the only title that Quiboloy continues to hold is “honorary chairman” which is “purely honorific in character.”

“Thus, under the circumstances, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy does not possess the specific details or documents that your Honorable Committee would ask from him,” they said.

The lawyers noted that they recognize the importance of legislative inquiries. “We have thoroughly reviewed the requirements and the nature of the information, based on past hearings, and fully understand the significance of the inquiries of your committee,” the letter read.

Aside from Acobo, the committee may also subpoena staff members Eunice Ambrocio and Maria Norfelly Marimon.

“We are confident that these individuals can contribute valuable insight and information pertinent to your Honorable Committee’s investigation,” they added.

Respectable

Meanwhile, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said he is not convinced of the veracity of sexual allegations against Quiboloy, whom he claimed he highly respects.

“My impression of him (Quiboloy) is that he is a respectable person and that he cannot do such stupid things that are alleged against him,” the senator said. 

Dela Rosa, however, clarified that he didn’t know everything Quiboloy was doing as he was not with the religious leader day and night.

“I don’t watch him 24 hours but if you ask my opinion about him, he is highly respected. I admire him myself, he is the son of God so, I least expected him to commit such an offense… that’s just my opinion,” the senator added.

Earlier, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Senate committee on women and children, cited Quiboloy in contempt for snubbing the committee’s invitation to shed light on allegations of sexual abuses.

Sen. Robinhood Padilla said he is against detaining Quiboloy, whom he believed was a “victim.” 

“I have my own reasons. My own reason – for me, pastor became a victim because he fought the New People’s Army,” Padilla said.

A group called Movement Against Tyranny (MAT) is calling on senators to hold Quiboloy accountable for snubbing a Senate investigation.

“We call all the senators to uphold truth and justice and the triumph of the Cross and the Resurrection that we, as Christians, reflect on in this Lenten season and commit to throughout our life,” MAT convenor Carol Araullo said in a statement.

Araullo also called on Padilla, and Senators Cynthia Villar, Imee Marcos and Bong Go to support Hontiveros’ contempt charges against Quiboloy in support of International Women’s Day.

Araullo said senators should commemorate women’s day and recognize the bravery of the women who spoke out against the religious leader’s transgressions by making Quiboloy accountable for his actions.

“Quiboloy’s cowardly no-show at the Senate hearing further confirms his possible guilt,” she said. — Nillicent Bautista, Sheila Crisostomo, Ghio Ong, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Emmanuel Tupas