CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Rodolfo Cubos, a Davao-based preacher who once stirred a public scare with his anti-vaccine sermons during the COVID-19 pandemic, has now set his sights on local politics.
Cubos, the leader of the Christ the Healer International Missions Movement (CTHIMM), became the first to officially enter the mayoral race in Davao City. Cubos filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Saturday, October 5, a move seen as a challenge to the city’s entrenched political powers.
Known to his followers as “Bishop Rod,” Cubos is campaigning under the promise of a “bag-ong Davao” (new Davao), a slogan resonating with his calls for change in the city’s leadership.
His COC-filing was marked by fanfare, with his followers clad in violet shirts gathering at Magsaysay Park, chanting his name and calling for change in Davao.
Cubos gained public attention in 2021 when he warned of a zombie apocalypse as part of his broader opposition to COVID-19 vaccinations. As the government pushed its inoculation campaign, Cubos became a vocal critic, claiming the vaccines posed spiritual as well as physical dangers.
“Ayaw mo pagdawat (Don’t get jabbed…) It will not only endanger your body but your soul as well,” he preached in a video that quickly spread across social media platforms.
Cubos’ preaching included apocalyptic visions, framed as biblical prophecy, with an overlay of Nostradamus-inspired predictions. He warned that vaccinations would bring about the extermination of two generations and lead to the rise of zombies, a scenario he claimed was foretold in the 16th century.
Despite the outlandish nature of his claims, his message resonated with a portion of his followers. His doomsday rhetoric became a viral topic, though it quickly turned into fodder for online jokes.
Now, Cubos has turned his pulpit into a political stage, carrying the same fervor into his mayoral bid.
Likely opponents
Cubos’ entry into the Davao City mayoral race presents a challenge to the long-standing political dominance of the Dutertes in Davao. However, he was quick to downplay any notion of confrontation, saying that his candidacy should not be viewed as fighting anyone directly.
Davao Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, son of former president Rodrigo Duterte, is expected to seek reelection, although there’s also talk that he could run for senator.
Speculation has also grown around a likely return to local politics by the elder Duterte or a bid by Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) party-list Representative Margarita “Migs” Nograles, both of whom have been floated as possible contenders for the city’s top post.
Nograles comes from a prominent political lineage. Her late father, Prospero Nograles, served as speaker of the House of Representatives under the Arroyo administration.
The Nograleses and Dutertes have a long history of political rivalry in Davao, marked by bitter contests for power over the years. However, the feud seemed to ease during Duterte’s presidency, when both families publicly signaled a reconciliation.
Now, with Migs being seen as a potential mayoral candidate, the old rivalry could resurface, potentially reigniting political tensions between the two dynasties in Davao.
Speaking to reporters after he filed his candidacy, Cubos said ex-president Duterte, 79, was already “old.” – Rappler.com