Former president Rodrigo Duterte (R) is a close friend of KJC founder and Davao-based preacher Apollo Quiboloy. | PHOTO FROM MALACAÑANG/INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — Former President Rodrigo Duterte has been named the new administrator for Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) properties, the religious group’s media arm, Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) said.
“JUST IN: Former President Rodrigo Duterte is appointed as new administrator for KOJC properties,” SMNI said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.
READ: LIST: Senators who signed against contempt order for Apollo Quiboloy
It did not provide further details about the appointment.
Duterte is a close friend of KJC founder and Davao-based preacher Apollo Quiboloy.
The announcement came shortly after the Senate sought the arrest of Quiboloy for failing to attend the chamber’s investigation into his alleged crimes.
During a hearing last March 5, Senator Risa Hontiveros moved to cite Quiboloy for contempt and requested an arrest warrant against the controversial leader.
READ: Quiboloy is just an ‘honorary chairman’ of SMNI – lawyers
Hontiveros heads the Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality committee handling the church leader’s purported crimes.
However, Senators Cynthia Villar, Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla, Christopher Go, and JV Ejercito expressed opposition to the issuance of a contempt order against Quiboloy.
Villar, during a phone patch interview with reporters on March 7, expressed confusion over the allegations against her friend: “Kaibigan ko si Pastor Quiboloy. Mabait siya sa aming pamilya at nagtataka ako dyan sa case na yan, kaya medyo hindi ako masyadong naniniwala dyan sa case na yan.”
(I am friends with Pastor Quiboloy. He is kind to our family and I am wondering about that case, so I don’t really believe in that case too much.)