Quiboloy camp going to Supreme Court

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy vowed to question the legality of the arrest warrant against the KOJC pastor before the Supreme Court.

Mark Tolentino, one of the legal counsels of Quiboloy also expressed optimism that the Senate, with the help of senators led by Robinhood Padilla, will not allow the arrest of Quiboloy.

Senators Padilla, Cynthia Villar, Imee Marcos, Bong Go and JV Ejercito have signed a written manifestation objecting to the arrest of Quiboloy.

“We can also question this (arrest warrant) before the Supreme Court as it is not within the power of the Senate as a pending case was already filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ),” Tolentino said.

At least eight signatures are needed to block the issuance of an arrest warrant against the KOJC leader.

During the Senate women and gender committee’s fourth hearing, Sen. Risa Hontiveros cited Quiboloy in contempt and asked Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri to order his arrest.

Padilla who opposed the arrest order, cited Section 18 of the Senate rules on inquiries in aid of legislation which states that a “majority of all the members of the Committee may, however, reverse or modify the aforesaid order of contempt within seven days.”

Supporters of Quiboloy on Saturday night continued their prayer rally dubbed as “Laban Kasama ang Bayan” at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila amid the impending arrest warrant against the embattled pastor.

The prayer rally which started on March 8 and will end on March 12 was initiated amid the arrest warrant against Quiboloy.

Salvador Panelo, the chief presidential legal counsel of former president Rodrigo Duterte, attended the prayer rally saying “This is the beginning of the end of the persecution of Pastor Quiboloy.”

‘Listen to the victims’

Senators opposing the issuance of the warrant of arrest of Quiboloy should listen to cry of victim-survivors and stand up for justice, Senator Hontiveros said.

“More and more victim-survivors have reached out to my office to share the horrific abuses they experienced as members of KOJC. I am sure that when they hear the experiences of Quiboloy’s former members, no one will hesitate to stand up for justice,” she said.

The senator said Quiboloy should also answer to overseas Filipino workers (OFW) whose 90 percent salaries were forcibly taken as donations for himself and the KOJC.

During the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality hearing, the senator presented Reynita Fernandez, an OFW based in Singapore, who divulged that she and other domestic workers were pressured and harassed into giving 90 percent of their salaries to Quiboloy.

“The OFWs worked day and night, and instead of their salaries going to their families, Quiboloy forcibly took their salaries away. Not only are they not getting their salaries, but they are also forced to sell whatever they can sell just so they can remit to the Kingdom,” Hontiveros said.

“Reynita lost her home because she gives her full salary (to the Kingdom), and she is definitely not the only OFW who has been victimized. We call our OFWs our modern-day heroes, yet we are failing to protect them from fraudsters like Quiboloy. I hope the Senate will be united to give our countrymen justice,” the senator added.

Hontiveros has cited the KOJC leader in contempt for failing to show up after a subpoena was issued. However, Quiboloy’s counsel, through a letter, said that his client refuses to honor the subpoena as he is invoking his right against self-incrimination.

“The invocation of the right against self-incrimination must be made by a witness actually present and on a per question basis. This has been settled by the Supreme Court. In other words, he still has to appear in the Senate. The accusations against him are already heavy, but he still doesn’t show up. Why is he hiding? Why is he so afraid? Is he afraid that he will not be able to properly defend himself against those who are accusing him?” Hontiveros asked.

Labor group Federation of Free Workers (FFW) has expressed disappointment and concern over some senators’ move to allow Quiboloy to escape sanction.