Comelec Criticized for Allowing Quiboloy in the 2025 Elections
COMELEC – Commission on Elections (Comelec) faced heavy criticism for its decision to allow Quiboloy to run in the 2025 elections despite the controversies surrounding him.
The Workers’ and Peasants’ Party (WPP) has criticized the Comelec for its decision to allow controversial pastor Apollo Quiboloy, leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), to run for the Senate in the 2025 elections. Quiboloy, currently detained on charges of alleged human trafficking and child s*x abuse, has become the center of a political storm following Comelec’s ruling.
WPP President Sonny Matula expressed outrage, calling the decision a “reward” for someone accused of egregious violations of the law. “This isn’t just an insult to the democratic process – it’s an insult to logic and fairness. Why reward someone with a track record of breaking the law over a candidate with a clean slate?” Matula said.
The Comelec recently upheld a previous ruling dismissing a petition to declare Quiboloy a nuisance candidate, prompting widespread criticism. Matula argued that the decision undermines the integrity of the electoral process and called it a disservice to the Filipino people.
“With all due respect, Comelec’s decision-making seems to have lost its anchor in reason. How can you justify a process that allows for piecemeal justice? It’s not just illogical; it’s a disservice to the Filipino people,” Matula added.
The WPP has announced plans to escalate the matter by filing a petition with the Supreme Court to overturn what they describe as a “grossly unfair and discriminatory” ruling. The party also pointed out Quiboloy’s failure to meet a critical deadline to respond to the petition within five days, further raising questions about the fairness of the decision.
“This is not just a technical lapse – it’s a blatant mockery and trivialization of the electoral process,” Matula said.
The controversy highlights broader concerns about the accountability of electoral bodies and the balance between democratic rights and the rule of law. As the Supreme Court prepares to weigh in, the case is poised to become a critical test of the integrity of the Philippines’ democratic institutions.