KoJC exec makes plea deal in US

MARISSA Duenas, the human resources manager for the California branch of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KoJC), has reached a plea deal with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The 15-page agreement was signed on Tuesday, October 8, by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Staples. Duenas and her attorney John Littrell signed the agreement a day earlier.

Duenas agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy charges to defraud the U.S. in exchange for a reduced sentence.

As part of the agreement, federal prosecutors will drop the remaining charges against Duenas, which related to her role in a larger investigation into KoJC’s alleged labor trafficking activities.

This case is part of an ongoing investigation involving KoJC leader Pastor Quiboloy, who is on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most wanted list.

KoJC’s founder and several of his associates were indicted by a US federal grand jury in 2021.

They are accused of orchestrating a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the U.S. using fraudulently obtained visas.

These individuals were allegedly coerced into soliciting donations for a fake charity, with the money allegedly used to finance the extravagant lifestyles of Quiboloy and other church leaders.

Quiboloy is also accused of sexual exploitation of women and minor girls under the pretext of religious duty.

The indictment alleged that they recruited women ages 12 to 25 as personal assistants, or “pastorals,” to prepare Quiboloy’s meals, clean his homes, give him massages and travel with him.

According to the indictment, the herders were forced to have sex with Quiboloy during what they called “night shifts” under the threat of “eternal damnation” and physical abuse.

It also accused cash smuggling and money laundering, alleging that money was illegally sent back to the Philippines in various ways, such as church workers carrying $9,000 in cash hidden in socks and luggage when they returned to Manila.

Larger quantities were transported in KoJC’s private jets under Quiboloy’s direction.

According to the indictment, Quiboloy tried to stuff more than $335,000 in his luggage on a flight from California to the Philippines in February 2018.

The church leader has denied the allegations, but US authorities have intensified their crackdown on KoJC’s activities in light of growing evidence of labor exploitation and fraud.

Quiboloy surrendered to authorities in Davao City last month and is currently being held in Manila. He faces multiple charges, including child abuse, sexual abuse and human trafficking.

Despite his detention, he has stood as a candidate for the 2025 Senate elections under the Workers and Peasants Party (WPP).

However, WPP chairman Sonny Matula said Quiboloy is not a member of the party. Quiboloy has no official endorsement from the group.

Matula, who is also running for senator next year, said WPP is conducting an internal investigation into the alleged Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CoNA) issued by the party for Quiboloy.

“We are investigating how he was able to obtain a CoNA under our party as only three persons are authorized to sign such documents on behalf of WPP: the chairman, the president and the senior vice president,” the union leader said. in a statement.

He denied having signed a CoNA for Quiboloy, adding that the party’s chairman and senior vice president “have both confirmed that they too have not signed any such document.”

Commenting on Duenas’ plea, Senator Risa Hontiveros said that “the day of justice for the victims of Apollo Quiboloy’s crime is approaching, both inside and outside the country.”

Hontiveros said the plea deal is an important step toward securing accountability for Quiboloy’s long list of crimes.

“I also hope that Ms. Duenas, given her position at KoJC, will be open to participating in our ongoing investigation into the various allegations of abuse and criminal conduct by Quiboloy,” said Hontiveros, chair of the Senate Committee on Women, Children. Family relations and gender equality.

She also hoped that Duenas and Quiboloy’s other co-defendants will “listen to their conscience and reveal the truth and everything they know.” Hontiveros urged the Justice Department to provide necessary legal assistance to any co-defendant or any other person willing to cooperate in achieving justice for the many women, children and other victims of Quiboloy’s crimes.

The Senate will resume hearings into Quiboloy’s alleged abuses in the third week of October.

Senate President Francis Escudero said Hontiveros was authorized to use the plenary to investigate the complaints and cases against the televangelist.

Escudero did not give a specific date but said the hearing would likely take place before the Senate session resumes on November 4.

During the latest hearing, two Ukrainian women and a Filipina testified about alleged sexual abuse by Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed “Designated Son of God.”