The intertwined interests of Former President Rodrigo Duterte and fugitive doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy was evident in the designation of Duterte as administrator of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ’s assets.
Quiboloy was a well-known ally of the former president, with their friendship reportedly spanning for 30 years. Duterte has also repeatedly defended him, saying that the administration is “obsessed with demonizing” the religious leader.
But how did Quiboloy and Duterte’s friendship start? What ‘assets’ did the religious leader entrust with the former president?
‘THE KINGDOM’S ASSETS’
The Court of Appeals issued a 20-day freeze order on the bank accounts, properties, and other assets of fugitive preacher Apollo Quiboloy, his church, and media group last August 7.
The court granted the petition of the Anti-Money Laundering Council which found 330 substantial financial transactions of Quiboloy from 2006 to 2022 that “appear to be directly sourced from unlawful activities” of the pastor, his cohorts, and his ministry
The freeze order covered at least 10 personal bank accounts under Quiboloy’s name, seven real properties, five motor vehicles, Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) and Swara Sug Media Corp which owns Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI)’s franchise.
The KOJC has 47 bank accounts, 16 real properties and 16 motor vehicles while Swara Sug has 17 bank accounts, five real properties, and 26 motor vehicles. A total of 99 bank accounts under the names of the individuals associated with Quiboloy were also ordered frozen.
LEGAL CASES VS THE SELF PROCLAIMED ‘SON OF GOD’
The self-proclaimed “son of God” faces multiple legal cases and has been indicted in the United States. In 2021, a federal warrant of arrest was issued against Quiboloy, such as charges that include conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, sex trafficking of children, sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, conspiracy, and bulk cash smuggling.
Quiboloy is also facing child and sexual abuse cases as well as a non-bailable qualified human trafficking case along with his associates.
‘PROTECTOR OF THE KINGDOM’S ASSETS’
Former President Rodrigo Duterte was appointed as administrator of the assets of Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Quiboloy’s lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio told INQUIRER that Duterte shall “see to it that assets are protected, payables are paid, receivables collected and all financial matters are handled with due diligence with the end in view of benefitting the members of KJC in the best possible manner.”
Duterte himself admitted that he volunteered to manage the properties of Quiboloy’s sect, Kingdom of Jesus Christ, saying that he did so to help with its “day-to-day operations”
As the church’s administrator, he said that he promised to “see to it that all Kingdom properties are preserved and taken care of.”
TRACING DUTERTE AND QUIBOLOY’S FRIENDSHIP
Their friendship reportedly spans 30 years when Duterte was not yet Davao City mayor and Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name, Inc. only had 15 followers.
Duterte and Quiboloy met when the former was serving as a Davao City prosecutor. Duterte used to have his firearms serviced by a guy who was living behind the church of Quiboloy in the city’s slums.
It can also be recalled that Quiboloy served as Duterte’s spiritual adviser during his presidency.
DUTERTE AND QUIBOLOY’S ‘INTRICATE’ KNOT
In 2016, Duterte admitted his hefty bank accounts and properties after it was exposed by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, also naming Quiboloy as a source of his assets. Based on interviews with Duterte a few days before he was elected as the 16th president of the Philippines, he has been receiving gifts from the pastor, including three properties in Woodridge Park, Ma-a, Davao City, and two vehicles, Nissan Safari and Ford Expedition.
When campaigning for the presidency in 2016, Duterte has extensively used Quiboloy’s aircraft, helping him reach even the farthest communities in the country. Duterte said it was Quiboloy’s way of helping “so I can work, so I have no fear.”
Quiboloy also said he was willing to donate his private jet, a 2015 Cessna Citation Sovereign Plus, and his Bell 429 helicopter, for Duterte’s use as president at no cost to the government.
