Panelo: Duterte is just administering KJC properties

Former President Rodrigo Duterte —Malacañang file photo

MANILA, Philippines — Former president Rodrigo Duterte is just the administrator for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) properties, which should not include the person of its founder, Apollo Quiboloy, ex-presidential chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo clarified on Monday.

Panelo in a short statement sent to INQUIRER.net said that Duterte as a lawyer knows that it is not right to coddle a fugitive, like Quiboloy.

READ: House probe into Dutertes’ role in hiding Quiboloy sought

READ: Ex-president Duterte appointed as new administrator of KJC properties — SMNI

The lawyer, who also used to be Duterte’s spokesperson, made the clarification after at least two House of Representatives lawmakers called for a probe on the former president’s alleged involvement in Quiboloy’s evasion of arrest orders.

“That is just a claim. There is absolutely no proof to that. Moreover, as a lawyer he will never do that,” Panelo said.

“PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) is just administering the properties of KJC which has a different and distinct legal personality, not the person of Quiboloy,” he added.

Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon said earlier that Duterte can be investigated for his role in allegedly hiding Quiboloy, as the former leader was appointed last March 2024 as administrator of the KJC’s properties.

This includes the KJC compound in Buhangin District, Davao City, where Quiboloy and four other co-accused in child abuse and trafficking charges were found.

Aside from this, Chua also questioned the statements made by Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, who previously said that she does not believe Quiboloy was in Davao City when the pastor was still hiding.

Bongalon meanwhile said that ex-president Duterte may be summoned since he supposedly harbored a fugitive, adding that Vice President Duterte and even Senator Ronald dela Rosa may be held liable also for supposedly trying to divert the police’s attention while serving the arrest orders against Quiboloy.

The PNP’s delivery of the arrest order against Quiboloy was criticized by the Dutertes, with the Vice President saying that there was a “questionable” display of force and authority.

The former president Duterte also condemned the supposed “excessive and unnecessary force” allegedly implemented by police in serving arrest warrants against Quiboloy.