A detained Philippine pastor who is also wanted in the United States for sex trafficking children registered on Tuesday (Oct 8) to run in next year's senate elections.
Apollo Quiboloy, an ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte, is a self-proclaimed "Appointed Son of God" whose sect claims millions of followers.
The 74-year-old was arrested last month and is currently detained in Manila and facing charges of child abuse, sexual abuse and human trafficking. One of his lawyers filed his candidacy paperwork.
"He wants to be a part of the solution to the problems of our country. He is running because of God and our beloved Philippines," lawyer Mark Christopher Tolentino said.
Quiboloy pledges to promote laws that are "God-centred, Philippine-centred and Filipino-centred", Tolentino told journalists after submitting the candidacy papers to election officials.
The circumstances are not without precedent.
In May 2022, Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada won a senate seat while on trial for corruption. He took up the post and was acquitted in January.
Another was rights campaigner Leila de Lima, who spent the majority of her six-year senate term in prison after being detained in 2017 on drug charges. She was cleared this year.
Candidates are only disqualified from standing in senate elections if they have exhausted all appeals after being convicted of offences involving "moral turpitude"lucky block, according to the election code which does not list specific crimes.
Lawyer Mark Christopher Tolentino (L) holds the application of Apollo Quiboloy, pastor and founder of the Philippine-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) church, as he files his candidacy for senator in the May 2025 midterm elections, in Manila on Oct 8, 2024. (Photo: AFP/Jam Sta Rosa)