KOJC to focus campaign on 'Duterte 10'

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CEBU CITY — Less than three weeks before the midterm elections, the legal counsel of detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy said their campaign will remain focused on the original 10 senatorial candidates endorsed by former president Rodrigo Duterte.

This comes after Vice President Sara Duterte recently endorsed two additional candidates — reelectionist Senator Imee Marcos and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar — outside of the so-called "Duterte 10."

Israelito Torreon said Quiboloy continues to support the senatorial slate backed by Duterte, whom he referred to as "loyal Duterte" candidates who would serve as a strong opposition bloc in the Senate.

While acknowledging the vice president's decision to support Marcos and Villar, Torreon said the group will stick with the original lineup and allow the public to decide whether or not to adopt the two additional names.

"Ang policy sa PDP (Partido Demokratriko Pilipino) Laban karon is Duterte—katong gi-endorso ni former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte," Torreon said at the Openline news media forum hosted by MyTV Cebu on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

(The policy of PDP Laban right now is Duterte—the ones endorsed by former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte.)

The Duterte 10 includes Bong Go, Ronald Dela Rosa, Philip Salvador, Jimmy Bondoc, Raul Lambino, Jayvee Hinlo, Rodante Marcoleta, Victor Rodriguez, Dr. Richard Mata and Quiboloy.

Torreon said that the vice president's move may have been politically motivated and possibly intended to build alliances. He said that she, like any political figure, has the right to make such choices.

Torreon, however, cast doubt on the sincerity of Senator Imee's support for Duterte, citing her silence during the time of his alleged arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on March 11.

"She did not show her view on the matter during that pivotal moment," he said, adding that her initiation of a Senate inquiry two weeks later may have been seen by many in PDP-Laban as a "desperate attempt to save her otherwise failing candidacy."

Torreon acknowledged that the hearing yielded some findings that could aid in efforts to challenge Duterte's arrest, but described it as "a little bit too late."

In Cebu, he said, support for the PDP-Laban slate remains strong despite One Cebu's formal alliance with the Marcos administration.

Senatorial candidates from the administration-aligned Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas joined One Cebu Party, led by Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, in the northern leg of the "Suroy-Suroy Sugbo" on April 11-12 to connect with Cebu's voters ahead of the May 2025 elections.

The two-day heritage and political caravan combined cultural tourism with grassroots consultation, covering towns in northern Cebu.

It featured speeches from candidates like former Senate president Tito Sotto, former senators Ping Lacson and Manny Pacquiao, Camille Villar and Senator Pia Cayetano.