Padilla to get more support to block Quiboloy detention

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Robinhood Padilla yesterday vowed to press on in getting four more signatures to block the Senate’s contempt order on Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

Padilla said he is not harboring grudges against his colleagues, especially after Sen. JV Ejercito – initially with him in seeking to overturn Quiboloy’s contempt citation – backed out after reviewing the serious rape allegations against the pastor.

“No hard feelings. That is within Sen. Ejercito’s right. It is part of democracy,” Padilla said in an interview over radio dwIZ.

While he is short of four signatures after getting the support of Senators Imee Marcos, Cynthia Villar and Bong Go, Padilla said he remains confident he would get it done before his March 12 deadline.

Padilla reiterated his position that there was no need for Sen. Risa Hontiveros – as chairperson of the Senate gender, children, family relations and gender equality committee – to investigate rape allegations against the pastor because cases in Davao have already been revived by the Department of Justice.

“Let us not spend resources here anymore while the country is deep in debt,” Padilla said.

Under Senate rules, he needs a majority or eight signatures in the 14-member committee to overturn Hontiveros’ contempt order and impending arrest order against Quiboloy for defying the Senate probe.

Padilla described Quiboloy not just as a friend, but also a “comrade” in his fight against the communist rebellion in the country.

“We owe a lot to this man,” Padilla said.

Senators Raffy Tulfo and Grace Poe have declined supporting Padilla. The other committee members whom Padilla still needs to convince are Senators Nancy Binay (who is vice chair), Pia Cayetano and Mark Villar, and ex officio members Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Majority Leader Joel Villanueva and Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III.

Former appointees of President Marcos slammed the detractors of the Dutertes and the embattled pastor.

In an edited video posted on the X account of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), lawyer Victor Rodriguez, who was Marcos’ former executive secretary, cried foul over the current injustices faced by Quiboloy, Vice President Sara Duterte and her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, and their supporters.

The video did not mention any individual or entity, but Rodriguez pointed out the “fake” people’s initiative to change the Constitution by “greedy politicians,” as well as “oppression” of SMNI, as well as the Vice President and the former president.

Meanwhile, Quiboloy is being sought by authorities in the United States for sex trafficking, rape, fraud and cash smuggling, putting him on the most wanted list of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. — Ghio Ong, Sheila Crisostomo