MANILA – The lawyer of detained religious leader and senatorial aspirant Apollo Quiboloy on Thursday said they are hoping the Supreme Court (SC) would junk the petition seeking to compel the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to declare him as a nuisance candidate.
In an interview with reporters, lawyer Israelito Torreon said “there is no rhyme nor reason why Pastor Quiboloy should be disqualified.”
“The determination as to whether or not a person is a nuisance candidate is his ability and seriousness to wage a national campaign and his capacity to undertake such a campaign,” Torreon said.
“I think in the case of Pastor Quiboloy, he can really do such,” he added.
The petition was filed by lawyer, labor leader and senatorial aspirant Sonny Matula, who asked the high court to reverse the decision of the Comelec allowing Quiboloy to run for senator in the May 12 midterm polls.
According to Matula, Quiboloy could be considered as a nuisance candidate as he is in jail for trafficking and child abuses cases.
Torreon also said facing charges could not be considered as ground for disqualification “in the light of the fact that presumption of innocence is one of the bedrock upon which our Bill of Rights is founded upon.” (PNA)