In a country where poverty remains a daily struggle for millions of Filipinos, the lavish lifestyle of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God,” stands as a glaring contradiction to the very teachings he claims to embody.
While many of his KOJC followers live hand-to-mouth, Quiboloy enjoys the luxuries of private jets and opulent mansions, all of which he justifies under the convenient pretext of “God’s will.” Quiboloy’s staggering transformation to a multi-millionaire is on full display with his lavish real estate empire, particularly his properties in the United States and Canada. With three homes
valued at a jaw-dropping USD6.10 Million (P338 Million), two of which are in Canada and one nestled in an exclusive Los Angeles neighborhood near celebrities like Justin Bieber, the Kardashians and Will Smith, Quiboloy’s lifestyle speaks volumes about his exploitation of faith for personal gain. On top of this, he owns two more properties in the US worth an additional P262.52 Million—one a sprawling mansion in Las Vegas, the other a luxurious estate in Hawaii. This extravagant wealth starkly contrasts with his origins and the lives of his poor, devout followers.
In an old interview with the National Geographic, Quiboloy was asked how he could justify his lavish lifestyle when his followers struggle to make ends meet. The sheer audacity of Quiboloy’s response to questions about his extravagant lifestyle is nothing short of astonishing:“You can have a broken heart looking at me, but what can you do?” he said, a remark dripping with indifference and self-importance. He knows his followers are aware of the disparity between their lives and his, but he has conditioned them to accept it as an unavoidable part of God’s grand design. In this way, he holds their faith hostage making them complicit in their own exploitation.
Quiboloy’s favorite defense against criticism is disturbingly simple: it’s all “God’s will” – a concept he himself defines. This allows him to justify everything, from his multimillion-dollar mansions to private jets as part of a divine plan, beyond reproach or questioning. For him, questioning his wealth is, in effect, questioning God Himself. Truly, as the National Geographic interviewer said, when it comes to Quiboloy, only three possibilities exist: either he is truly the Son of God as he claims, he is tragically
delusional or most likely, he is an extraordinarily successful conman who has manipulated faith to amass wealth and power at the expense of his vulnerable followers.
Just a week ago, Quiboloy finally surrendered to the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) after being in hiding since he was charged with multiple criminal offenses, including human trafficking and sexual abuse of minors as young as 11.
While his surrender marks a significant step towards accountability, it is far from the end of the road. Quiboloy’s long history of evasion and protection by powerful allies, including former President Duterte and his cohorts, casts a shadow over the prospects for true justice. Until those who have
shielded him from scrutiny are also held accountable for their role in enabling his actions, the fight for justice remains incomplete.
For now, we can only hope that this is the beginning of the reckoning that
Quiboloy and those who protected him rightfully deserve.
