One of the close associates of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy agreed to a deal with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Her testimony may be enough to put the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) away for a long time.
Marissa Duenas, a KOJC officer and Quiboloy’s co-defendant in his cases in the US recently struck a deal with the FBI. In her plea deal, Duenas admitted to conspiracy to defraud the US in exchange for a lighter sentence.
She was an administrator as well as human resources manager for the KOJC’s Van Nuys, California operations.
Duenas admitted to commit marriage fraud in the US. Specifically, she took part in arranging “sham marriages” with KOJC members who were US citizens.
Earlier, another KOJC official, Maria de Leon, also reached a plea deal with US authorities. She will be sentenced on January 27, next year. De Leon admitted to having processed fraudulent documents for KOJC members.
Sooner or later, the US is expected to file extradition proceedings against Quiboloy, who is presently detained at the Pasig City jail along with another co-accused, Cresente Canada. He also has cases pending in a Quezon City court.
Before the US can file an extradition case against Quiboloy, however, the pastor’s cases in the country must first be resolved.
For now, the Justice department said the plea bargains in the US would have “no effect” on Quiboloy’s cases in the Philippines.
The country does, however, admit that negotiations had been ongoing with the US, which agreed to drop the cases against Duenas.
This could mean that Duenas will be extradited to the US first.
The cases against Quiboloy, et al are set to commence in a California court on May 20, 2025.
The pastor is being held on non-bailable charges of human trafficking. Through his lawyer, however, Quiboloy filed his certificate of candidacy last week. He is seeking a Senate seat under the little known “WPP” party.
The 74-year-old head of the doomsday cult had gone into hiding after charges were filed against him, and also for refusing to attend Senate hearings.
After weeks of hiding, he finally surrendered to the police. This, despite his earlier vow that he would never allow himself to be captured alive.
While in hiding, he claimed that the Marcos administration was in cahoots with the FBI and Central Intelligence Agency to have him assassinated.
He also claimed that the FBI had placed a $2 million bounty on his head, an accusation that was denied by the bureau.
His Senate run caught even his closest associates by surprise, including former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is running to reclaim the post of Davao City mayor.
While Quiboloy was in hiding, Duterte said he had taken control of the assets of the KOJC at the request of the pastor.
It was, therefore, surprising that Quiboloy did not join Duterte’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino, formerly known as PDP-Laban.
Quiboloy has been indicted in the US for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children, and bulk cash smuggling, among others.
While still under detention, Quiboloy’s lawyers have been asking that he be placed under hospital arrest, owing to various medical conditions and also because of his advanced age.
