In a humdrum speech before a large crowd of Quiboloy’s supporters at the Liwasang Bonifacio, former President Duterte rumbled on about Philippine history, claiming that Lapu-lapu had speared Magellan from behind, and killed him to gain the victory for the Cebuanos. He claimed further that we were always subdued because of powder and canon.
He also took potshots against the Dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. by suggesting to the public that the Marcos agenda was to stay in power beyond the Constitutional terms; then he drops hints of the current President planning to do the same.
Of course, we can dismiss Digong’s tall tale about Magellan’s death and defeat, and we can ignore the almost-forgotten Marcos dictatorship rumblings by an old man who is fast becoming irrelevant. (Remember that in the early days of his Presidency, he pressed hard for federalism; today, he tries to reintroduce this idea through the Constitution by separating Mindanao from the rest of the country!) Yet, Duterte still enjoys support from the Mindanao grassroots. And could still pull a surprise in the 2028 election.
So while the wolf’s fangs are bared (ineptly), the Duterte agenda also began to show. While he believes he can still muster the masses, his performance at Liwasang Bonifacio seems to show otherwise.
This large rally was organised by the Kingdom of Jesus Christ to support the beleaguered Apollo Quiboloy, their leader. However, more than half of what was expressed in the placards was “Marcos resign!”.
This means that the Liwasang Bonifacio crowd was a mixed bag of Quiboloy diehards and a handful of Marcos disbelievers.
Vice President Sara Duterte came in a little more subtly by defending Quiboloy and his right to due process, freedom of expression, and religion.
When asked what she thought of her service in the first two years, she said that the Marcos administration had not amounted to much change, and that she was glad the people were organizing rallies to voice out their feelings.
So it seems that at the Duterte camp, they are positioning to go for the Presidency with either Sara as President; or Digong as President and Sara as senator or congresswoman, organising their bailiwicks according to the Duterte agenda.
During the Duterte campaign, Quiboloy was then known as Duterte’s spiritual adviser and counselor.
To the rest of us, however, he was the self-proclaimed “Anointed Son of God”. However, he has been under the inquisitive eyes of the Department of Justice.
In 2023, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Most Wanted poster on the KOJC leader read: “Apollo Carreon Quiboloy, the founder of a Philippines-based church, is wanted for his alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the United States, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders.”
Philippine Justice Sec. Crispin Remulla said the victim in the latest case was 17 at the time the crimes were committed more than a decade ago, in 2011.
“We all know it is difficult to file charges in a place where the accused are in positions of power,” he added.
So the lines have been drawn between President Marcos and Digong-Sara, with Quiboloy as the pawn.
The true test will come should Quiboloy fail to comply with the Senate’s show cause order.
The Social Weather Stations profile of the country shows that Marcos has lost support in Mindanao, but maintains a good rating of 46 percent in the rest of the country.
Quiboloy’s followers may be confused and unguided, and may resort to resistance of authority, but may benefit from the leadership of the aging Duterte.
As a consequence, Quiboloy’s and Duterte’s followers may cause a public uprising.
Marcos must exercise great political strength and will to insist on the rule of law.
On Quiboloy’s side are Duterte, VP Sara, and a handful of BBM’s Senators, give or take some former Duterte appointees taken in by BBM.
If Quiboloy decides to resist the arrest order against him, (Atty. Topacio, Quiboloy’s lawyer, has indicated as much on Wednesday), the President should ensure the loyalty of his supporters to respect the rule of law.
This may be a time to test the President’s political will and diplomatic resolve to avoid a potential disaster.
PS. Just off the press: Cong.Chiquiting Sagarbarria just announced the passage of the bill for the One Negros Island. The Senate version was adopted. Will have more to talk about this next time.
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