The Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 159 has rejected the bail petitions of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and several others accused in a qualified human trafficking case, citing strong evidence presented by the prosecution.
In a resolution dated July 20, 2025, Acting Presiding Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa ruled against granting bail to Quiboloy and co-accused Sylvia Cemañes, Paulene Canada, Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, and Ingrid Canada. The court found that the presented evidence established “a great presumption of guilt,” making bail unjustified at this stage.
“Given these pieces of evidence against all the accused… the court must deny their petitions for bail,” Estacio-Montesa stated.
The judge underscored the specific roles allegedly played by each accused that contributed to the commission of the crime. Quiboloy, as the leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), was identified as the central authority figure who reportedly lured a victim to become a “miracle worker” and later subjected her to sexual abuse through what he called the “bodily connection ministry.”
Cemañes was said to have initiated the recruitment process by convincing the victim’s father to allow his daughters to attend a KOJC youth congress. The court emphasized the presence of an “implied conspiracy,” noting the accused’s “tacit understanding and common intent to commit the unlawful acts complained of” against a minor.
However, Estacio-Montesa clarified that the resolution only pertains to the bail petition and not the final outcome of the case. “There remains a long process ahead, and both parties have the opportunity to present further evidence,” she noted.
Defense counsel Atty. Israelito Torreon said they would file a motion for reconsideration, arguing the court may have overlooked crucial admissions made by the victim during cross-examination. “Not a word has been written in the decision [about those admissions]… so we would most respectfully raise that out,” Torreon said.
Torreon also condemned reported threats against Pasig RTC personnel, urging authorities to investigate and charge those responsible. “We want to make it clear we have nothing to do with that, and such acts are harmful to our justice system,” he added.
Quiboloy, arrested in Davao City in September 2024, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He faces multiple allegations of trafficking and molestation involving female KOJC members, some reportedly as young as 12 years old. A previous plea for house arrest was also denied by the same court in March 2025.
