The closeness of President Rodrigo Duterte with Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy would not affect the rape charges against the religious leader, the Palace said Monday.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made the statement after Quiboloy was accused of rape, human trafficking, and child abuse by a former follower.
“The rule of law in this country always prevail regardless of who are involved,” Panelo said in a press briefing.
President Duterte previously admitted receiving valuable gifts from Quiboloy throughout the course of their three-decade friendship. The religious leader even provided private jets for Duterte’s 2016 presidential campaign. The two are also shooting buddies and motorcycle enthusiasts.
But they allegedly had a spat after the President reportedly refused to accept the pastor’s help in selecting Cabinet members, but they mended ties supposedly after the 2019 midterm elections.
Duterte has also appeared twice in Quiboloy’s program “Give Us This Day” for exclusive interviews.
Panelo refused to comment on the charges against Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed “appointed son of God.”
“That should be a private matter involving the Pastor. So we will not intrude into that private domain,” he said.
In October last year, Quiboloy was also accused by a former follower of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ for running a “child sex ring.”
Quiboloy’s legal counsel Israelito Torreon, said the allegations against his client were part of a “grand conspiracy” to pin down the pastor.