A labor group has appealed the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to allow imprisoned preacher Apollo Quiboloy to run for senator in the upcoming national and local elections in 2025.
In a 19-page petition filed with the Supreme Court on January 15, the Workers' and Peasants' Party, led by Atty. Sonny Matula, to declare Quiboloy a "nuisance candidate" and disqualify him from running.
According to the group, the Comelec showed a "double standard in the implementation of procedural rules," which was strictly enforced in other cases but was "lax" in Quiboloy.
"This lack of consistency undermines the principles of fair play, equal protection, and rule of law in the democratic process," according to the group's petition.
They also stressed that Quiboloy's camp failed to meet the five-day deadline to submit an answer after being notified by the Comelec on November 4, 2024. Their answer was only submitted on December 10, 2024 — more than a month late.
Instead of punishing this noncompliance, the Comelec dismissed the group's petition to disqualify Quiboloy in December 2024 — a decision they said undermined public confidence in the commission's fairness.
"This flagrant disregard of the Tribunal's orders shows Quiboloy's inability and willingness to engage in a meaningful and serious election process even though he submitted his response late," according to the petition.
The group also emphasized that Quiboloy's incarceration in the Pasig City Jail due to serious criminal charges, including qualified human trafficking and child abuse, makes it difficult for him to conduct a legitimate campaign nationwide as a person deprived of liberty (PDL). .
“The circumstances of his incarceration prevent him from contacting voters, organizing campaign activities, or fulfilling basic needs as a candidate for a national office. This strengthens the conclusion that his candidacy is not genuine, but an attempt to ridicule the election process,” according to the petition.
The jailed preacher, who is facing charges of trafficking in persons and abuse, submitted his certificate of candidacy on October 8, 2024, through his lawyer.
In a message to Philstar.com, one of Quiboloy's lawyers, Ferdinand Topacio, said: “Since this case is still in court, we cannot comment deeply on the merits of the case, except to say that the petition for disqualification filed by Atty. Sonny Matula is, in a manner derived from Abraham Lincoln, as thin as broth made from boiling the shadow of a chicken starved to death.”
"We only hope that Atty. Matula, as a court official, is not using the high profile of Pastor Quiboloy to raise his political reputation by riding on the Pastor's popularity,” he added.
