More than a year and eight months after the United States of America sanctioned and froze several assets of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy for corruption and human rights abuses along with 40 individuals from nine countries around the world, the snail paced Philippine Judicial System through the Court of Appeals (CA) finally imposed a 20-day freeze on identified bank accounts, real estate properties and other assets of the embattled ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte. CA found merit on the sexual exploitation, human trafficking and human smuggling cases filed against the self-appointed and self-proclaimed son of God who has claimed that he can stop typhoons and earthquakes from happening.
The affected accounts and properties include 10 bank accounts with Banco de Oro and Metrobank and real estate properties in Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao City, Mati and Roxas City. It included five vehicles and a private plane. It covers KOJC, Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), and 10 other individuals identified to be involved in the unlawful activities of Quiboloy. Also included were 47 bank accounts and real estate properties of KOJC located in Laguna, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Iloilo, and the cities of Quezon, Tagbilaran, Mandaue, Davao and Butuan including its 16 vehicles. Attached with freeze order are SMINI’s 17 bank accounts, 26 vehicles and five real properties located in Makati City, Cabanatuan City, Cagayan and Isabela.
The freeze looks like a miracle appeared from nowhere. Philippine banking rules require immediate reporting to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) within the day of a transaction worth P500,000.00. In February 2014, one of the accounts of Quiboloy was deposited P15 million in a day. It was withdrawn several days later. Nothing happened.
In reality, if not for the politics, the breakdown of alliance between the Dutertes and the Marcoses, nothing would have happened. Nobody would have attempted to run after Quiboloy afterall he is one of the financiers or even worse the depository of the ill-gotten wealth of the Dutertes. Senator Riza Hontiveros, a known opposition would not have the chance to look into the operations and acts of Quiboloy. Sometimes, this is also the beauty of politics. Indeed there are no permanent friends and enemies, only permanent interests.
Sadly, time is running out for the Marcoses. After the midterm elections, it will be a different ball game. Those who are fighting for the interests of the administration will start looking for a much stronger wall to lean on. Unless of course, the Marcoses can put up a stronger contender for 2028. Here, Vice President Sara Duterte is a force that these senators and congressmen and women will look up to and perhaps join in the coming days. It will then just be a matter of time before Quiboloy rises up and proclaim again that God has freed him from the abuses of his tormentors.
