Detained televangelist and senatorial candidate Apollo Quiboloy has demanded a manual recount of senatorial votes, raising concerns over reported election irregularities.
Quiboloy’s camp, through his official spokesperson Atty. Israelito Torreon, made the call on Tuesday night, thanking supporters who cast their votes for the embattled candidate, who is part of the “DuterTEN” slate endorsed by former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Your trust and belief in his message of truth, justice, and accountability have been truly moving,” Torreon said in a social media post. Despite Quiboloy ranking 31st with 5,577,526 votes based on the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) partial and unofficial tally, his camp insisted the fight continues.
Citing reports of “overvoting anomalies, inconsistencies in ballot readings, and other electoral irregularities,” Quiboloy’s team is pushing for a manual vote count. They clarified that the demand is not a rejection of the democratic process but a call to reinforce it, emphasizing their intent to pursue all legal avenues to safeguard the integrity of the election.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia, however, clarified that a manual recount is not feasible under the Automated Election Law (Republic Act No. 9369), which mandates automated vote counting from precincts to the national level.
Quiboloy, who remains in detention at the Pasig City Jail on charges of human trafficking and sexual abuse, was arrested at his religious group’s compound in Davao City following a period of hiding. Despite the legal battles, his camp maintains their commitment to ensuring the integrity of the election process.
