THE national women's alliance GABRIELA raises alarm over the Commission on Elections (COMELEC)’s decision to allow rape and human trafficking accused Apollo Quiboloy to run for senator in the upcoming elections, calling it a grave insult to women and child abuse survivors.
"It is absolutely revolting that a man accused of rape and sexual abuse of minors is being allowed to seek public office. This is not just a mockery of our electoral process but a direct assault on the dignity of rape survivors and victims of sexual abuse and human trafficking,” says GABRIELA Secretary-General Clarice Palce.
The women's group points out that Quiboloy's candidacy, along with the special privileges granted to him while in detention, reflects the deeply entrenched culture of impunity in the country where powerful men accused of violence against women and children can still aspire for positions of power.
"Hindi kami papayag na may abusado na maupo sa gobyerno. Ang pagpayag sa kandidatura ni Quiboloy ay pagpapatunay na ang sistemang elektoral sa ilalim ng gobyernong Marcos ay nagsisilbing proteksyon sa mga makapangyarihan, abusado at mga human trafficker,” Palce added.
GABRIELA calls on COMELEC to immediately disqualify Quiboloy from running for public office and demands accountability for his alleged crimes against women and children. "We call on all women's rights advocates and the Filipino people to reject child sexual predators and criminals in government like Quiboloy. Those who abuse women and children have no place in public service. They belong in jail!” Palce concluded.