Quiboloy seeks Senate seat; Guo not running

Detained without bail and facing possible extradition, Apollo Quiboloy is unbowed.

- By MAYEN JAYMALIN and CECILLE SUERTE FELIPE

The pastor of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is gunning for the Senate, with his legal representative Mark Tolentino submitting the KOJC founder's certificate of candidacy at the Manila Hotel Tent on the last day of the COC filing period yesterday.

In a speech delivered for him by Tolentino, Quiboloy promised a "God-centered, Philippine-centered and Filipino-centered" governance if he gets elected.

On the other hand, dismissed mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac said yesterday she had decided to abandon her bid for a second term.

Guo bared her decision not to run for reelection at yesterday's public hearing of the Senate committee on women, children and family relations chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) gave Guo her latest legal woe, ordering the filing of criminal charges against her for misrepresenting herself as a Filipino citizen.

"The Law Department (of the Comelec) finds probable cause and recommends the filing of information before the court against the respondent (Guo)," the poll body said in an 11-page decision.

During previous Senate hearings, Guo was unmasked as a Chinese national named Guo Hua Ping.

At the hearing yesterday, Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada asked Guo if she would be running again for mayor.

Guo replied, "Sa ngayon hindi po (Not at the moment).' "What changed your mind?" Estrada further asked Guo.

"I will face the accusations against me first, I will clear my name first," she replied.

Meanwhile, Tolentino said religious freedom will be Quiboloy's top advocacy.

"He believes that religious freedom is inviolable and the government should secure holy grounds against state forces," Tolentino said.