Mariano Marcos
State University

MMSU Soksay tackles Quiboloy in ‘Tungtongan’ pilot episode

By Edmar Delos Santos, StratCom Correspondent 

Much has been said about Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, but the pilot episode of Tungtongan may have been one of the most extensive academic explorations of the controversial religious figure to date.

 
The Department of Social Sciences (DSS) of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) College of Arts and Sciences launched Tungtongan—a multidisciplinary conversation on public issues—on September 27, 2024, with its debut episode focused on Pastor Apollo Quiboloy,  founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) who is currently facing qualified human trafficking, child sexual abuse, and rape charges. The 74-year-old preacher is also on the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation's most-wanted list for sex trafficking of children, visa fraud, and money laundering.

 
In collaboration with local radio station Magik FM-Laoag and the Rotary Club Sunshine Laoag, the episode titled “Faith or Fraud? The Quiboloy Case, Allegations, and Accountability” aired from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., broadcast on the MMSU official Facebook page. A limited number of faculty members and students participated in-person at the Center for Flexible Learning.

 
The discussion featured experts from diverse fields, including social sciences, sociology, psychology, and law, offering a unique perspective on the allegations surrounding Quiboloy.

 
Atty. Josiah Patrick Bagayas, Chief of the Center for Legal Aid, Research, and Advocacy (CLARA), detailed the timeline of Quiboloy’s legal issues, breaking them down into five key thematic areas: Criminal Law, International Law, Labor Law, Civil Law, and Constitutional Law. He provided a comprehensive legal analysis of the pastor’s ongoing cases.

 
Assoc. Prof. Rex-Belli Alejandro, Chair of the Department of Social Sciences, took an ethical lens, delving into the moral implications of Quiboloy's controversial claims and alleged actions, particularly his assertion of being the appointed "Son of God."

 
Sociology instructor Brent Wyn Guillermo offered a sociological perspective, discussing how religion, particularly the KOJC, can play a significant role in societal stability and explaining how Quiboloy has become a cultural phenomenon.

 
Psychology instructor and psychometrician Edimar Joshua Friala provided insights from a psychological viewpoint, focusing on the role of religious belief in shaping individual and collective behavior, as well as the psychological aspects of religious authority and fanaticism.

 
Assistant Prof. Zacaris Damo Jr., from the Social Sciences department, examined Quiboloy’s theological claims, including his declaration of being “the owner of the universe” and “the appointed son of God.” Damo explored whether these claims hold any biblical or scriptural basis. The episode concluded with an open forum, where both the live and virtual audiences posed questions to the panelists.

 
Dr. Marlina Lino, CAS dean, congratulated the organizers for spearheading a venue for a free and vibrant exchange of views on public issues. She also extended the commendation of MMSU OIC-President Prima Fe R. Franco, who fully supported the initiative. “The lenses of the social sciences allow us to dig deeper on social issues and to go beyond what is apparent so that we can dutifully evaluate truths, and thereby allowing us to make informed decisions,” Dr. Franco said.

 
In his closing remarks, Assoc. Prof. Alejandro emphasized the importance of multidisciplinary conversations like Tungtongan in providing clarity and fostering understanding of controversial issues that impact society.

 
Tungtongan’s pilot episode has gained positive feedback from viewers, including radio reporter David Jude Pitpitan, who found the discussions “very comprehensive and enlightening.” Pitpitan, who watched the three-hour broadcast, said he looks forward to the next round of discussions.

The second Tungtongan episode is scheduled in November.