Sa sponsored presidential debate
QUIBOLOY ‘BINOYKOT’ NG 4 ASPIRANTS

ni Rose Novenario

INISNAB ng apat na presidential aspirants ang itinakdang presidential debate ng Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), broadcasting arm ng Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) ni Pastor Apollo Quiboloy ngayon.

Hindi kaya ng konsensiya ni presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao na dumalo sa naturang debate lalo na’t si Quiboloy ay wanted sa US sa iba’t ibang kaso kabilang ang child sex trafficking.

“As much as I would like to participate in every debate and public forum related to my bid for the presidency, I am compelled to decline the invitation of SMNI, which is owned by Apollo Quiboloy, who, according to the US government, has molested and abused children,” ani Pacquiao sa isang kalatas.

“I cannot, in good conscience, be part of any activity organized by a man wanted for detestable crimes and who unconscionably used the name of the Lord in vain for religious scams,” dagdag niya.

May nakabinbin pa aniyang cyberlibel case laban kay Quiboloy na kanyang isinampa.

“Kaya mas mabuting tanggihan ang imbitasyon ng SMNI para hindi ito mabigyan ng kahit anong kahulugan na maaaring makaapekto sa aming kaso,” giit ng Pambansang Kamao.

Sa panig ni Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, ikinatuwiran ng presidential aspirant, may inendoso nang kandidato sa pagka-pangulo at vice president si Quiboloy kaya marapat lang na hindi na nila siputin ng kanyang running mate na si Senate President Tito Sotto ang SMNI debate.

“With all due respect and giving regard to common sense, SP Tito Sotto and I are skipping the SMNI debates. The network’s chairman, Pastor Quiboloy has already openly endorsed his preferred presidential and vice-presidential candidates,” paskil ni Lacson sa Twitter.

May naunang nakatakdang aktibidad si  presidential bet Vice President Leni Robredo sa Panay Island kaya hindi makararating sa SMNI debate ngunit tiniyak na dadalo sa lahat ng Comelec-sponsored at accredited debates.

“Leni Robredo has a proven track record of attending debates and interviews regardless of the personal histories or affiliations of its sponsors. Unfortunately, the VP already has a long standing commitment to meet with leaders and supporters in Panay Island on the date this event was scheduled,” ayon kay Barry Gutierrez, tagapagsalita ni Robredo sa isang kalatas.

“She will be unable to attend this privately sponsored event, but will definitely be present for all the upcoming COMELEC sponsored and accredited debates,” aniya.

Puno ang iskedyul ni presidential bet Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso sa iba’t ibang lugar sa Samar kaya’t hindi rin makadadalo sa SMNI debate.

Kung walang ibang presidentiables na inimbita ang SMNI, mistulang TV program ng ‘anointed one’ ni Quiboloy na si Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., ang plano sanang presidential debate dahil siya lang ang nagkompirmang makapupunta.

Matatandaan, noong 31 Enero 2022 ay inilabas ng Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) ang wanted poster ni Quiboloy para sa sinomang makapagbibigay ng impormasyon para siya’y maaresto sa mga kasong “conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; bulk cash smuggling.” Hinihintay ng gobyerno ng Filipinas ang extradition request mula sa Amerika.