Petition to Disqualify Pastor Apollo Quiboloy from 2025 Senate Race Rejected by Comelec
PASTOR APOLLO QUIBOLOY – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has rejected a petition seeking to disqualify the detained televangelist from the 2025 senatorial race.
The petition, filed by labor leader Sonny Matula, accused Quiboloy of “material misrepresentation” and argued that his nomination by the Workers’ and Peasants’ Party (WPP) lacked legal and factual foundation. Matula specifically claimed that the certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) submitted by Quiboloy was signed by an individual, Mark Tolentino, who was not a recognized officer of the WPP.
However, the Comelec First Division dismissed the petition, stating that Matula had not provided sufficient evidence to justify declaring Quiboloy as a nuisance candidate. The commission further explained that Matula’s petition improperly combined different grounds for disqualification, which violated Comelec rules. Additionally, the Comelec noted that the petition’s claims were unsupported by factual and legal evidence.
According to GMA News, the decision clarified that submitting an unauthorized CONA does not automatically constitute material misrepresentation, a key element for disqualification. Comelec emphasized that membership or nomination by a political party is not a requirement for senatorial candidates, making the issue of an unauthorized CONA irrelevant to Quiboloy’s eligibility.
In response to the legal challenges, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy announced on October 21 that he would continue his bid for the Senate as an independent candidate, withdrawing from his nomination by the WPP due to internal party disputes. He expressed his intention to run independently in the 2025 elections, despite the ongoing legal and political challenges.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the Philippines can disqualify a person from running for a government position if they fail to meet the required qualifications, have been convicted of serious crimes, are mentally incapacitated, submit false documents, or are deemed a “nuisance candidate.” Additionally, individuals with dual citizenship who have not renounced their foreign nationality can also be disqualified. These rules ensure that only qualified and genuine candidates are allowed to run for office.
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