Renowned evangelist Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy is not about to endorse any local and national candidate in the upcoming 2019 midterm elections.
Aside from being undecided on whom to endorse, Quiboloy, founder and leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC), The Name Above Every Name, Inc., said that he has not yet discussed this matter with his religious trustees.
“I’m hesitant of endorsing, before or during (the campaign period). Because in my experience, many (candidates) will feel bad, especially those who I will not be able to endorse,” he said on Friday evening, during the soft opening of the Chinese New Year Village at his Prayer Mountain in Tamayong, Calinan.
The Davao-based church leader, whose endorsement is traditionally sought by candidates owing to his influence on the huge membership of KJC, claims to have a congregation of over four million tithed followers in the Philippines, and two million followers outside the country. His endorsement is always anticipated during elections considering his influence of the ‘block-voting’ congregation since its foundation in 1985.
He is also known as a close friend and supporter of President Rodrigo dating back to the former’s stint as city mayor.
The pastor also revealed that he had been receiving request for appointments from national candidates, both under the parties of the administration (Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan or PDP-LABAN and Hugpong ng Pagbabago) and the opposition (Otso Diretso).
He named senatorial candidates former Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, former Senate Presidents Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, as one of those who requested to have an appointment with him.
“I had been entertaining them for the past few weeks, and even for the following weeks,” Quiboloy said.
He also said that the president has not yet personally endorsed anyone from PDP-Laban or HNP candidates to him.
Quiboloy said that one of the qualifications for his endorsement is someone who will help in improving the state of the country, including the fight against illegal drugs.
“For as long as he can contribute to the country, just like the president,” he said.
According to a COMELEC resolution, the campaign period for candidates for Senator and Party-List Groups participating in the Party List System of Representation is from February 12, 2019 to May 11, 2019.
Meanwhile, the campaign period for candidates for members of the House of Representatives and elective Regional, Provincial, City and Municipal officials will run from March 30, 2019 to May 11, 2019.
