Petitioner contests Comelec junking of DQ case vs Quiboloy

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) decision to junk the disqualification petition against senatorial aspirant and detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy was challenged by a petitioner.

Sonny Matula, a senatorial aspirant and president of the Workers and Peasants’ Party (WPP) on Monday filed before Comelec a motion for reconsideration against Comelec First Division’s ruling.

“Let’s be clear—this isn’t about ganging up on Quiboloy,” Matula said in a statement.

READ: Comelec junks DQ case vs Quiboloy

“But the inconsistencies and legal infirmities in this resolution can’t be ignored,” he added. This Motion for Reconsideration is a call to fix these issues before they undermine the credibility of our electoral system.”

The poll body’s first division resolution dated Dec. 18 said Matula failed to comply with Section 1(b) of Comelec Resolution No. 11046, which states that a petition to declare a candidate a nuisance cannot be combined with other grounds for a separate remedy.

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Furthermore, the division said that even if it were to apply the rules on liberality and decide based on the merits of the petition, the grounds relied upon by Matula for Quiboloy’s disqualification were “incorrect and without factual basis.”

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The jailed KJC founder filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator through an authorized representative under the other wing of the WPP led by Quiboloy’s lawyer Mark Tolentino.

READ: From jail, Quiboloy joins Senate race

But this triggered a controversy as the other faction of WPP led by Matula, questioned Quiboloy’s application.

The Comelec previously declared that WPP has two “wings”: One led by Matula and the other by Tolentino.

But Matula said they were not aware of Quiboloy’s bid under WPP while Tolentino said they invited the detained sect leader to become their member, which he accepted.

Comelec earlier said that Quiboloy may still run as an independent bet if his part nomination gets annulled.

Quiboloy then asked Comelec to just declare him an independent aspirant.

He has been detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Quezon City after being arrested at KJC compound in Davao City last September over human trafficking and child abuse charges.