Quiboloy’s Senate bid a ‘dare’ for gov’t to swiftly act on charges – DOJ
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday said embattled pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s senatorial bid was a “dare to the government” to act swiftly on the charges against him.
DOJ Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano IV made the pronouncement after Quiboloy, through a legal representative, filed a certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator in the 2025 elections.
READ: Apollo Quiboloy files COC for senator
“Itong pag-file niya ng (His filing a) COC for Senate is a dare to the government to do something fast,” Clavano said.
“What we want is for him to face the charges first and not to make a mockery of the election system, not to make a mockery of democracy,” he added.
Clavano also stated that the DOJ sees Quiboloy’s candidacy as a challenge to the government to expedite his extradition to the US.
READ: Apollo Quiboloy files COC for senator
“Itong pag-file ni Pastor Apollo Quiboloy bilang senador ay sa tingin po ng DOJ isa ‘yang challenge sa ating gobyerno at gobyerno ng USA na mag-file na ng extradition dahil hindi naman pwedeng maging senador ang isang accused ng human trafficking, especially when there is substantial evidence already to the effect na ganiyan talaga ang ginagawa niya,” said Clavano in a press briefing.
(The DOJ believes that Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s filing as a senator is a challenge to both our government and the US government to file for extradition, as someone accused of human trafficking should not be allowed to become a senator, especially when there is substantial evidence against him.)
“So if anything, it just expedited the extradition,” he added.
When asked if this meant the DOJ had already received an extradition request from the US, Clavano responded that it had not.
READ: US extradition request for Quiboloy coming – DOJ
According to Clavano, filing a COC should not give Quiboloy protection, stating that it “should not be used as a tool to afford somebody protection.”
Quobiloy is currently facing child abuse and human trafficking cases before Quezon City and Pasig City courts, respectively.
Meanwhile, he is also facing several criminal charges in the United States, including Conspiracy to Engage in Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion, and Sex Trafficking of Children; Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, and Coercion; Conspiracy; and Bulk Cash Smuggling.
