“From Heaven to Court: The Controversial Downfall of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy”

In the world of religion and politics in the Philippines, few names are as influential and controversial as Pastor Apollo Carreon Quiboloy —the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” and leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) . For decades, he has dominated as a powerful spokesman for the faith, founder of an international church, and the main face of Sunshine Media Network International (SMNI) . But now, the once free and powerful leader is locked up in the Pasig City Jail , charged with serious crimes such as qualified human trafficking, child abuse, and sexual exploitation .

The Arrest and Imprisonment

On September 8, 2024 , a historic day was recorded after a long search—Quiboloy was arrested in his home territory in Davao City . He had been out of the public eye for months, especially after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released his name on the most wanted list in 2021 due to sex trafficking and smuggling cases. After his arrest, he was taken to Camp Crame in Quezon City, and later transferred to the Pasig City Jail , where he remains to this day.

A Prisoner Candidate

Unlike most detainees, Quiboloy has not stopped participating in politics. In October 2024 , while in government custody, he filed for senator in the May 2025 midterm elections . Despite the charges against him and the decline in his reputation, he has been active in the campaign—still supported by some followers and media allies.

However, he lost , finishing 51st out of 66 candidates. Immediately after the election, his camp claimed that there was fraud. He called for a manual recount of the votes, citing alleged technical glitches such as ballots not read by the machine and reports of over-voting. But according to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) , this call has no legal basis because Quiboloy did not file a formal election protest . Only a Random Manual Audit or legal complaint can initiate a manual recount.

Health Inside the Cell

While in detention, reports also emerged of Quiboloy’s deteriorating health . Some of his complaints included chest pain , jaw problems , and pneumonia . He was granted a temporary medical clearance to receive treatment, which was also the talk of the media. This situation is a reminder that even those considered powerful are not immune to the challenges of body and age.

Visit of VP Sara Duterte

In June 2025 , Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed that she visited Quiboloy at the Pasig City Jail. According to her, she asked how the pastor was doing and they discussed the election results. She also delivered the pastor’s personal message to her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. VP Sara expressed her prayers for the pastor’s health and the hope that the cases he is facing will be resolved soon.

International Cases and Accusations

The charges against Quiboloy are not just local—they extend to the United States . In November 2021 , a Federal Grand Jury filed charges against him in United States District Court in California . The charges include sex trafficking, labor trafficking, fraud, and bulk cash smuggling .

According to the FBI , Quiboloy allegedly forced KJC members to travel to the US using fake student visas or fake marriages to solicit donations for the church. Female members were reportedly recruited to become his “pastorals”—personal assistants who prepared meals, cleaned the house, gave massages, and had sex with him under the so-called “night duty.”

As a result, in December 2022 , the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) blocked all of Quiboloy’s access to his assets in the United States, amid allegations of serious human rights abuse.

From Glory to Fall

Quiboloy’s story reads like a telenovela—from being a young Kapampangan child growing up in Davao, becoming a student at the United Pentecostal Church , and eventually founding his own religious movement in 1985. Under his leadership, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ has expanded to more than 70 countries and 2,000 cities around the world.

Despite all this, he has fallen from a powerful TV evangelist and self-proclaimed “Son of God” to a prisoner suspected of serious crimes. His mansion in Davao—an 8-hectare compound where their religious music is played 24 hours a day—is now a mere symbol of his former opulence.

A Reminder to All

Apollo Quiboloy’s story is not just the story of one man , but a reflection of many aspects of society: power, faith, politics, media, and justice . It is proof that no matter how widespread influence, no one is safe from the law — and every action, ultimately, has its corresponding responsibility.

His life is a warning and reminder: from a height, anyone can fall.