The Court of Appeals (CA) has issued a freeze order on multiple assets of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. The order, dated August 6, 2024, affects 10 bank accounts, 7 real properties, 5 motor vehicles, and an aircraft belonging to Quiboloy.
According to an ABS-CBN report, this decision comes after the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) filed a petition highlighting concerns over trafficking, child and sexual abuse cases linked to Quiboloy, as well as suspicious solicitation of donations in the US. The CA also ordered the freeze of 47 bank accounts, 16 real properties, and 16 motor vehicles under KOJC.
The court noted that donations intended for KOJC were deposited into the church’s Philippine accounts, funding both a stadium construction and Quiboloy’s extravagant lifestyle. It was found that KOJC members smuggled money into the Philippines, with church administrators’ financial profiles not aligning with their substantial monthly incomes. The accounts showed unusual transaction patterns inconsistent with the profiles of KOJC officials.
To prevent the potential withdrawal, transfer, or concealment of these funds and properties, the CA deemed it necessary to issue a 20-day freeze order. The decision was signed by Associate Justice Gabriel Robeniol.
The freeze order also extends to the accounts of Maria Teresita Dandan, Helen Pagaduan Panilag, Paulene Chavez Canada, Cresente Chavez Canada, Ingrid Chavez Canada, Sylvia Calija Cemañes, Jackielyn Wong Roy, Alona Mertalla Santander, Marlon Bongas Acoo, Children’s Joy Foundation, Inc., and Swara Sug Media Corporation.
The AMLC’s investigation, prompted by a letter from the Department of Justice on December 18, 2023, revealed that Quiboloy’s highest total transaction occurred in 2015, amounting to PHP 89 million. The court found reasonable grounds to believe that the frozen bank accounts were connected to unlawful activities and predicate crimes.