MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang said Monday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is carefully reviewing the United States’ request to take religious leader Apollo Quiboloy into US custody, with a decision expected within the next few weeks.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the request has already reached the President and is now being evaluated in accordance with the legal procedures governing extradition between Manila and Washington.
According to Castro, Marcos has emphasized the need for a thorough review before the government announces its position on the US request.
She said the Philippines has several options under its extradition treaty with the United States.
The government may choose to defer the request and keep Quiboloy in Philippine custody while his local criminal cases are resolved. It may also consider putting the Philippine proceedings on hold and allowing the US extradition to proceed.
Castro, however, stressed that whatever course the government takes must comply with existing laws and the required legal process.
Quiboloy is currently facing criminal proceedings in two Philippine courts. The Pasig RTC is handling a qualified human trafficking case, while the Quezon City RTC is hearing allegations involving sexual abuse and maltreatment.
The founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ became a prominent religious and political figure in the Philippines and was known as a spiritual adviser and ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Authorities arrested Quiboloy in Davao City in September 2024 following an extended period in hiding. He later entered a not-guilty plea and has since been detained in Pasig.
Meanwhile, the US case against him dates back to a 2021 indictment filed in California. The charges include alleged sex trafficking of minors, visa fraud and bulk cash smuggling.
Quiboloy had also been listed among individuals sought by the FBI.
Romualdez earlier disclosed that US authorities were pushing for Quiboloy’s extradition, underscoring Washington’s desire to have him face the charges filed against him in the United States.
The Palace is expected to announce Marcos’ decision after the government completes its review of the extradition request.
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