Senate bet, 2 partylists begin Cebu sorties

CEBU, Philippines — As the 90-day campaign period for senatorial candidates and partylist groups for the May 2025 elections started last Tuesday, one senatorial candidate and two party-lists officially launched their campaign in Cebu that same day.

The “appointed son of God” and senatorial candidate Pastor Apollo Quiboloy may be facing legal obstacles but his supporters remain optimistic about his Senate campaign, as they launched nationwide rallies including in Cebu to boost his candidacy.

Alan Tamondong, executive campaign manager Visayas of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy for Senator Movement said Quiboloy is running for the Senate to push for reforms in governance including zero corruption, poverty reduction, tourism, agriculture, and national security.

Quiboloy is also batting for zero waste and beautification project like the One Tree, One Nation initiative, Kalinisan, and Tatag ng Bayan Cleanup Drive as well as the Anti-Criminality Campaign, Anti-Drugs Campaign.

Tamondong said that members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), of which Quiboloy is founding pastor, are ramping up efforts to expand Quiboloy’s reach, including house-to-house campaigns in Cebu.

Tamondong said there are around 200,000 KOJC members in Cebu alone but they are also reaching out to Duterte supporters in Cebu to convince them to vote for Quiboloy.

“There are a lot of people who do not know Pastor Quiboloy. If they only listen to the mainstream media, they will have a negative perception. That’s why we are pushing for an information drive to let people know who he really is,” said Tamondong.

The proclamation night was also attended by Cebu gubernatorial candidate Pamela Baricuatro, who claimed she was urged by the PDP to run for Cebu governor after she attended the KOJC prayer rally in support of Quiboloy held at the Liwasang Bonifacio.

Tamondong likewise said that KOJC members in Cebu were requested by Quiboloy to vote for Baricuatro as governor and former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama as mayor.

The Quiboloy for Senator Movement recently kicked off in 13 major cities in the Philippines. Quiboloy was not in attendance during any of the launching but the court permitted him to record a message for the event. He is still in detention for several charges.

Upcoming rallies include one in Minglanilla Town, Cebu, on March 8 and Bacolod City in Negros Occidental on March 20.

Also last Tuesday, Buhay Partylist second nominee Dr. Rene Josef Bullercer also led their launching in Cebu, advocating for prolife policies, family-centered programs, and the preservation of Filipino cultural values.

Bullecer said that they hope to get at least 1.5 million votes for their nominees to sit in Congress.

A key issue they want to address is the looming implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), which remains a priority in the congressional agenda.

Bullecer said CSE introduces discussions on contraception, reproductive rights, and gender inclusivity, which he claimed contradict pro-life, pro-God, and pro-family values.

Meanwhile, the Progressive Movement for the Devolution of Initiatives (PROMDI) partylist also held their opening salvo in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City, together with first nominee Mimo Osmeña, who is also PROMDI president.

PROMDI was founded by his father Emilio “Lito” Osmeña when he ran for president in 1998.

“Matayog ang pangarap ko para sa bawat ka-PROMDI. Magtulungan tayo na maituloy ang pagpapaunlad ng bawat probinsya para maayos natin ang kuryente, mga kalsada, at magkaroon ng mas maraming trabaho sa bawat probinsya,” Mimo said in his Facebook post.

“Bilang dating guro, nakita ko kung gaano kahalaga ang maayos na daloy ng kuryente at tubig, maayos na kalsada, at mas maraming oportunidad para makapag-aral at makapagtrabaho sa kaniya-kaniyang probinsya. Kaya hanggang ngayon, dala ko ang pangarap na maiangat ang iba pang mga probinsya tulad ng ginawa ng aking ama sa Cebu. Dapat probinsya muna ang unahin,” he added. — (FREEMAN)