The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc has denied a motion for reconsideration aiming to block Apollo Quiboloy’s bid for a Senate seat in the 2025 elections.
In a resolution released on Friday, the Comelec dismissed the motion filed by senatorial aspirant Sonny Matula, who argued that Quiboloy’s candidacy undermines the electoral process and highlights inconsistencies in candidate qualifications. The en banc cited a “lack of merit,” stating that the issues raised had already been thoroughly examined by the First Division.
“We find no compelling reason to overturn the earlier ruling. The arguments presented have been carefully addressed and resolved,” the resolution stated.
The motion stemmed from an earlier Comelec decision rejecting a petition to disqualify Quiboloy and label him a “nuisance” candidate. Matula’s petition had combined several legal remedies, which Comelec noted as procedurally defective and grounds for dismissal.
Quiboloy, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and a known Duterte ally, faces multiple legal battles, including child abuse and human trafficking charges in the Philippines and serious criminal cases in the United States, such as sex trafficking and bulk cash smuggling. Despite these allegations, Comelec upheld his eligibility to run for public office.
