Quiboloy supporters reaffirm support for ‘loyal Duterte’ senatorial bets

National

WITH just days before the May 12 midterm elections, the legal counsel of detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy said they are standing firmly behind the “Duterte 10” senatorial slate.

This is despite Vice President Sara Duterte recently endorsing two additional candidates outside of the group.

During the Openline news media forum hosted by MyTV Cebu on Tuesday, April 22, Atty. Israelito Torreon said Quiboloy remains supportive of the slate backed by former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Torreon referred to them as “loyal Duterte” candidates who will provide a strong opposition bloc in the Senate.

Torreon pointed to what he described as “excesses” under the current Marcos administration, and said the Duterte-aligned slate is crucial to helping Vice President Duterte, who is set to face an impeachment trial before the Senate.

When asked about VP Duterte’s recent endorsements of reelectionist Sen. Imee Marcos and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar—moves that raised eyebrows among core Duterte supporters—Torreon took a measured stance.

“Of course, she is our leader also,” he said, noting that they respect the Vice President’s decision, which he believes may have been done in consultation with her father, who is detained by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“Pero ang policy sa PDP-Laban karon is Duterte—katong gi-endorso ni former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte," he added.

He emphasized that the party will stick to the original “Duterte 10” and will leave it up to the voters to decide whether to add the newly endorsed names.

Torreon said the move may have been a calculated political decision by Vice President Sara Duterte, possibly aimed at building a future alliance with Senator Imee Marcos and Camille Villar.

He noted that the Vice President, as an individual with political rights, has the freedom to make such choices and deserves respect for exercising that right.

Torreon, however, cast doubt on the sincerity of Senator Marcos’ support for former President Duterte.

“She did not show her view on the matter during that pivotal moment,” he said. “It was only two weeks after that she initiated the Senate investigation. Many in PDP-Laban suspect it was a desperate attempt to save her otherwise failing candidacy.”

Torreon admitted that the Senate hearing led by Marcos did uncover some declarations that may be used in ongoing legal efforts to contest Duterte’s arrest both in Philippine courts and at the ICC.

But he remained firm in his view that the inquiry came “a little bit too late.”

In Cebu, Torreon said the local reception for the PDP-Laban slate has been strong, despite Governor Gwendolyn Garcia's One Cebu’s formal alignment with the Marcos administration.

The Duterte 10 slate includes familiar allies of the former president, and their campaign hinges on a message of opposition to the current administration and continued loyalty to Duterte’s brand of governance

This includes Bong Go, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Philip Salvador, Jimmy Bondoc, Raul Lambino, Jayvee Hinlo, Rodante Marcoleta, Victor Rodriguez, Dr. Richard Mata, and Quiboloy.(MyTVCebu)