Quiboloy camp says ballot spot adjustment ‘inconvenient’

Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy attends Senate probe (Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy on Thursday said that the adjustment of spots in the ballot for senatorial aspirants in the midterm elections is inconvenient.

Quiboloy’s original 52nd spot in the ballot had to be adjusted twice due to the Supreme Court (SC)’s  issuance of temporary restraining order (TRO) in favor of  two senatorial aspirants previously declared by Comelec as nuisance candidates.

“[It’s] really inconvenient,” Quiboloy’s legal counsel Mark Tolentino told INQUIRER.net in a text message.

“But we have to respect the decision of the Comelec,” he added.

On January 14, the SC ordered Comelec to include Workers Party of the Philippines (WPP) Senate candidate  Subair Mustapha on the ballot at the 47th spot.

This change led to the adjustment of the ballot numbers of 12 senatorial aspirants, including Quiboloy, who was moved to the 53rd spot.

Another TRO from SC released Tuesday, January 21 favoring Francis Leo Marcos or Norman Mangusin will lead to another ballot number adjustment, which will again affect Quiboloy and several other aspirants.

Tolentino said Quiboloy’s camp has yet to print campaign materials.

“But I’m sure, there are so many volunteers who printed [campaign materials] on their own,” he pointed out.

Last year, Quiboloy filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator under the WPP faction led by Tolentino. 

This triggered a controversy as the WPP faction led by fellow senatorial aspirant Sonny Matula questioned Quiboloy’s COC.

Later, Comelec acknowledged that the WPP has two wings with each being headed by Matula and Tolentino.

Mustapha is running under the Matula wing of the WPP.

Tolentino shrugged off this development besetting Quiboloy’s camp, which was punctuated by the fact that it was caused by an aspirant under their rival wing.

“No comment. We don’t know him,” he said of Mustapha.

Tolentino filed Quiboloy’s COC on his behalf as the religious leader had been detained due to allegations of child abuse. Quiboloy has been detained at Pasay City Jail since November last year.

The Matula wing of WPP even filed a petition for disqualification against Quiboloy. It was dismissed by the Comelec and Matula elevated it to the SC.