Evangelist Apollo Quiboloy of Kingdom of Jesus Christ endorses Presidential candidate Mayor Rodrigo Duterte after a thanksgiving and worship prayer of Kingdom of Jesus Christ held in Lingayen town in Pangasinan province. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/WILLIE LOMIBAO
Pastor Apollo Quiboloy on Monday said all is well between him and presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte.
“Hindi po ako nagtatampo kay Mayor,” Quiboloy told reporters in a press briefing.
(I have no hard feelings on Mayor.)
“Patuloy ang pagkakaibigan ko kay Mayor. Ako ay patuloy na mananalangin sa success ng ating susunod na Pangulo,” he added.
(My friendship with Mayor continues. I will continue to pray for the success of our next President.)
READ: Quiboloy hurt in selection of Duterte’s Cabinet members
Quiboloy, the founder of the homegrown Christian sect Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the Name Above Every Name, is Duterte’s longtime friend.
The pastor said he understood that the mayor has a busy schedule and he praised the incoming President for saying that the country’s interest would come first before friendship.
“Kaya si Mayor sa values na yun ay pinupuri ko siya na sinabi niya yun na ang tanging kaniya lamang uunahin ay ang ating interes ng bansa,” he said.
(I laud Mayor for his values when he said that he would prioritize the interest of the country.)
He said he would distance himself from the the presumptive President-elect if he would be a hindrance for the public’s interest.
Earlier, the camp of Quiboloy, through his spokesman Mike Abe, said the pastor was hurt because Duterte was unable to see him.
READ: Sidelined, Quiboloy is hurting
Abe said Quiboloy and Duterte had no official communications since 2 a.m. of May 10.
“Dahil sa napaka-busy siya, talagang nauunawaan ko talaga yun na hindi kaagad-agad pwedeng makausap si mayor,” he said.
(Because he’s too busy, I understand that I couldn’t talk to him immediately.)
Quiboloy said he went on a prayer and fasting for the nation.
“Ang ginawa kong prayer and fasting ay panalangin sa ating bansa para sa ating bagong darating na leadership” he said.
(I went on a prayer and fasting for our country in regards to the incoming leadership.)
“Ipinanalangin ko rin na pagpalain si Mayor Duterte, bigyan siya ng lakas ng katawan, tamang karunungan at bigyan din ang pamilya niya ng kalakasan, proteksyon at pagpapala na mula sa langit na sana sa kanyang susunod pamamahala ay magkakaroon ng inaasahan natin na sinabing pagbabago sa ating bansa na makikita natin,” he said. RAM/rga
(I also pray that Mayor Duterte would be blessed and he would be given the strength, wisdom and that his family may be given strength, protection and blessings from heaven that in his incoming administration there would be change in our country.)