Duterte and the ‘Appointed Son of God’

Regarding the Nov. 25 editorial (“‘Night duties’ for the ‘Son of God’”), how was it that a street-smart politician like President Duterte seemed clueless about the man he got so close to and confided in, who is now wanted by US authorities for sex crimes and other alleged criminal activities?

Did he really believe Apollo Quiboloy was the “appointed son of God” and so “holy” that he blindly relied upon him for “spiritual advice” from the time he was still mayor of Davao City to the time he became president? If Mr. Duterte did and is proud of it, can people be blamed for thinking his personal beliefs are just as wacko as Quiboloy’s? For instance, he used to say he was leaving it up to “God” when asked about his post-presidency plans. Did he mean Quiboloy, through whom “God” supposedly speaks as his “appointed son” and earthly “spokesman”?

Thus, after supposedly being “divinely inspired,” Mr. Duterte eventually came out to declare that his “destiny” lies in becoming vice president … then in “retiring” for good … and finally in becoming a senator. If all that was a product of counseling and discernment made with his “spiritual adviser,” then it was clear proof that the “spiritual adviser” needed professional help himself.

Of course, the Palace has now seemingly dropped Quiboloy like a hot potato and made it clear that Mr. Duterte would not stand in the way of the latter’s extradition to the US if such request were made. Yet, as the editorial aptly noted: Why has Quiboloy not been investigated and prosecuted in this country for any of the heinous crimes, especially against Filipino girls, he is accused of?

The more sensible way of looking at this case is by conceding that Mr. Duterte is really not that obtuse. Deep inside, he must have known all along about the real Quiboloy. But the preacher’s enormous resources—he owns a private plane said to be valued at $18 million, a helicopter, high-end vehicles, his own version of a harem, several houses, mansions here and abroad, and wealth entrusted to him by his followers—surely stood the astute politician in Mr. Duterte in good stead.

Arnulfo M. Edralin, [email protected]