The Workers and Peasants Party (WPP) is set to file a petition to cancel the Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) of religious leader and self-proclaimed "appointed son of God" Apollo Quiboloy, following his submission of a Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for a Senate bid in the 2025 elections through his lawyer, Atty. Mark Tolentino.
The WPP has reportedly been identified as the endorsing party for Quiboloy's senatorial bid based on his submitted CONA.
"Sana ‘yung CONA niya ay mawala kaya magfifile kami probably next week ng petition to cancel his CONA for it is not authorized," National President of Federation of Free Workers and Senatorial aspirant Atty. Sonny Matula said in an exclusive interview with DZRH's Damdaming Bayan on Thursday.
"Kung nakikita natin na may pagsisinungaling o misrepresentation, pinag-aaralan din po namin ang pag-file ng criminal case laban sa kaniya sa piskalya dahil sa perjury," he added.
According to Matula, they did not endorse Quiboloy for the Senate because he is not a member of their party and does not qualify as a candidate under their principles.
He further stated that the charges against the pastor are severe, including allegations of sexual abuse and human trafficking.
He noted that, due to these reasons, Quiboloy is unlikely to gain approval from the executive committee for endorsement as a candidate.
"Kaya kami po ay nagtataka at nagulat na ang aming pangalan ay nadamay sa kaniyang filing ng Certificate of Candidacy nung last day of the filing of candidacy sa COMELEC," said Matula.
Matula added that he does not see any other associates of Quiboloy in the party, except for Atty. Tolentino, who was part of the WPP in 2022. However, he noted that Tolentino has since become inactive after the 2022 elections.
He clarified that Tolentino is neither authorized nor empowered to endorse Quiboloy.
"Tatlo lamang po ang aming pinag-usapan at inauthorize ng National Convention na pumirma ng Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance at ‘yun po ay ang inyong lingkod, ang president ng WPP Atty. Sonny Matula, at ‘yung aming Chairperson, at yung aming senior vice president," Matula stated.
Matula expressed that the recent submission of his candidacy might be a strategy to confuse or manipulate the public, shifting focus away from the crimes he is accused of and the reasons for his incarceration.
"Sa mga inenderso ng WPP wala po ang pangalan ni Quiboloy. Sa palagay ko ay hina-hijack ‘yung aming maliit na partido para mapabango ang pangalan ni Apollo Quiboloy," Matula added.
On October 8, the embattled religious leader, facing charges of qualified human trafficking and multiple counts of sexual abuse, filed his COC in an attempt to secure a Senate seat.
