Quiboloy files libel raps vs Hontiveros, De Lima

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of pastor Apollo Quiboloy yesterday filed criminal and libel complaints against Sen. Risa Hontiveros, ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima and Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña over statements referring to him as a “sex offender.”

Quiboloy’s lawyer Ferdinand Topacio filed the complaints before the Pasig Regional Trial Court.

Topacio said the complaints stemmed from statements made by Hontiveros, Cendaña and De Lima following the issuance of an extradition request for Quiboloy by the US government.

Among the statements cited as grounds for the complaints were references to Quiboloy as a “sex offender” and “sex trafficker,” Topacio said.

He argued that the accusations against Quiboloy remain unresolved in court.

Quiboloy is facing cases of qualified human trafficking and child abuse before a Pasig court. He is also the subject of a US extradition request over federal charges.

The Department of Justice aims to finish reviewing the extradition request in the next two weeks, DOJ Secretary Fredderick Vida said.