Duenas deal: A domino effect in Quiboloy’s legal troubles?

The recent plea agreement of Guia Cristeta “Neneng” Duenas, a ranking official of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) church in America, adds yet another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal troubles of its founder, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. 

Duenas admitted guilt in a California court to charges of conspiracy to commit immigration fraud. This development raises questions about the stability of Quiboloy’s religious empire and the potential for further legal repercussions. 

Her plea deal involves cooperation with US authorities. Her insider knowledge of KOJC’s operations could provide crucial evidence in the case against Quiboloy, who faces charges of sex trafficking, conspiracy, and fraud.

Duenas, one of Quiboloy’s most trusted lieutenants, allegedly orchestrated a scheme to arrange marriages between KOJC members and U.S. citizens, with the primary goal of obtaining legitimate immigration status for foreign-born members. These marriages were not based on genuine romantic relationships but were instead a means to exploit immigration laws for the benefit of the church. 

Once foreign-born members secured their immigration status, Duenas pressured them to divorce their U.S. citizen spouses, allowing the process to be repeated with new couples. This fraudulent cycle, case records show, enabled KOJC to bring a significant number of its members to the United States, bolstering its ranks and increasing its capacity to solicit donations.

This is not Quiboloy’s first brush with the law. In 2018, he was arrested in Honolulu for attempting to smuggle firearms and cash using his private jet. Though charges related to the incident were later dropped, it cast a spotlight on his activities and attracted the attention of law enforcement.

The current charges against Quiboloy are far more serious. He is accused of orchestrating a scheme that involved coercing young women and girls into sexual servitude under the guise of religious devotion. These allegations paint a disturbing picture of abuse of power and exploitation within KOJC. Quiboloy’s legal troubles escalated further when he was placed on the FBI’s most wanted list in 2022. The charges against him include sex trafficking of minors, conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, and bulk cash smuggling. 

Duenas’ plea bargain could be a significant turning point in Quiboloy’s case. Her cooperation with authorities could provide critical evidence to support the allegations against him. It also signals potential internal discord within KOJC, further weakening Quiboloy’s defense.

For Duenas, the implications are clear. She avoids a lengthy trial and potentially reduces her sentence through cooperation. Her admission of guilt, however, tarnishes her reputation and casts a shadow on the KOJC leadership.

For Quiboloy, the implications are far more serious. Duenas’ plea bargain puts him in a precarious position. Her testimony could corroborate allegations against him, strengthening the prosecution’s case. It also paints a picture of his diminished hold within KOJC.

This plea deal comes on the heels of other legal setbacks for Quiboloy. The US government successfully sought the extradition of three other KOJC officials to face similar charges. These mounting legal pressures raise questions about the future of Quiboloy’s leadership and the stability of his religious empire.

The Duenas plea agreement is a significant development in the ongoing legal saga surrounding Quiboloy and KOJC. It remains to be seen how her cooperation will impact the case against Quiboloy and the future of his religious organization. But one thing is clear: the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” faces a formidable legal battle that could potentially dismantle his religious empire. 

Social media trolls clash again with mainstream media on House EJK probes

In the battle for the hearts and minds of the electorate, national and local candidates will confront the challenges derived from the ongoing political clash of social media and traditional mainstream media. We are at a critical juncture, a crossroads where a very complex interplay is happening between our only two major sources of information.

 During former President Duterte’s term, social media had a heyday and lasting influence in public discourse, where his narratives prevailed, while traditional media was tagged as either fake news or politically motivated Two years after, the debate now rages.  Are the Dutertes’ still idolized by a majority of Filipinos? Will his social media magic resonate with his senatorial candidates? Will they win?

Interestingly the most recent OCTA research would reveal us an insight. In a Tugon ng Masa survey issued yesterday, it said more Filipinos prefer to identify themselves as pro-Marcos while those who identify themselves as pro-Duterte decreased. 38 percent of adult Filipinos identified themselves as pro-Marcos which is up two percent  from their March survey. Those identifying with Duterte were at 15 percent or 1 percent lower.

OCTA said that “while the findings indicate a nominal change at the national level for the third quarter, analyzing the data for the last three quarters of 2024 suggested a “continuing upward trend” since the first quarter to those who prefer to identify themselves as supportive of President “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., and a “continuing downward trend” to those supportive of former President Rodrigo Duterte”.

The continuing  live on Youtube  congressional investigations on extrajudicial killings (EJK) POGOs may have been hurting the credibility of the former President and his allies. Added to these are the recent dismissal of court cases versus former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and the explosive “liar” Kerwin Espinosa. Equally damaging is the revelation of former PCSO GM Lt.Col Royina Garma,that a Davao model of using PCSO money in killing suspected drug lords was implemented with resigned Napolcom Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo (Retired PNP) was the head. Included in those revelations of an active police Lieutenant Colonel Santie Mendoza  that Garma and Leonardo ordered him to kill former PCSO board secretary Wesley Barayuga ,a classmate of then DILG chief and now National Security Adviser Eduardo Año.

In the past, these would be met with public indifference or outright hostility  , or often labeled as elitist or out of touch. Hashtags like for Duterte would have trended  and his loyalists would vent on media propaganda or misrepresentation. In social media, pro-Duterte sentiments are amplified, reinforcing loyalty while discrediting all opposing views.

Recently, this social media mobilization was seen in the investigation of VP Sara Duterte  in the intelligence funds issue and  her management of  the Department of Education (Dep-Ed).  While everybody saw on live YouTube, the  performance of VP Sara and her snub on  the congressional panel, she was praised and exalted by her loyal followers on social media.  However, her SWS net satisfaction rating dopped by 19 points  from 63 points in March to 44 percent  in July.

Reelectionist Senator Bato de La Rosa recently said that social media is now more powerful than traditional media in terms of political impact. He promised to attend the congressional hearings  on EJK after the elections, if he will not win. 

But his  statement reveals the reliance or confidence  of the pro-Duterte group in their current hold on the masang Pilipino in social media. They believe they will overcome all criticisms and administration propaganda and still emerge as winners in the coming senatorial  elections next year or even in 2028.

Will this happen? I certainly hope not!