House panel orders Quiboloy’s arrest

SMNI franchise revoked

MANILA, Philippines — Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy is facing arrest for contempt of a House of Representatives committee, which also approved the revocation of franchise of the TV network he reportedly owns.

Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting, chairman of the committee on legislative franchises, granted the motion of Surigao del Sur Second District Rep. Johnny Pimentel to cite the KOJC leader in contempt for snubbing the panel’s summons for him to attend hearings on the Sonshine Media Network Inc. (SMNI) franchise.

Five other lawmakers – Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Deputy Speaker David Suarez, Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre, France Castro of ACT Teachers and Arlene Brosas of Gabriela – seconded Pimentel’s motion.

“There having no objection and with a unanimous vote, pastor Quiboloy is therefore cited for contempt,” Tambunting said as he banged the gavel to conclude yesterday’s hearing, the sixth so far on the SMNI franchise issue since September 2023.

At the Senate, a move to cite Quiboloy in contempt is on hold as the chamber’s leadership has opted to serve him first a show-cause order compelling him to explain within 48 hours his refusal to cooperate in a Senate probe on allegations of sex trafficking, rape and other abuses leveled against him by former followers.

Upon the request of lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, who said he stands as a “general counsel” to Quiboloy, the House panel gave the sect leader until March 15 to present himself to the panel or face arrest by the House sergeant-at-arms.

“You report to us on or before March 15, that will be final, we will implement it (contempt order). If you can do it before March 15, much better,” Tambunting told Topacio, but apparently addressing Quiboloy.

Topacio, who also said he is a counsel for KOJC, appealed to lawmakers’ compassion, saying he would be meeting Quiboloy in Davao City today.

“Just a deferment, your honors, a few days. I’ll be seeing my client. I’ll give my best effort and I will advise him accordingly,” he told Tambunting.

Franchise revoked

The committee also approved a motion by Rep. Rodge Gutierrez of party-list 1-Rider for the revocation of the legislative franchise of SMNI that Quiboloy reportedly owns. Rep. Augustina Dominique Pancho of Bulacan’s second district seconded Gutierrez’s motion.

“I believe this committee has found sufficient grounds to revoke the SMNI franchise,” Gutierrez said, to which Tambunting declared: “Seconded by Rep. Pancho, and there having no objection, House Bill 9710 is approved with no amendments.”

The move to revoke SMNI’s legislative franchise is contained in HB 9710, authored by Gutierrez. SMNI’s franchise under Republic Act 11422 allows the Davao City-based network to operate for 25 years, or until 2044.

Gutierrez, a lawyer by profession, noted recurring questions about the real ownership of SMNI – widely believed to be owned by Quiboloy – considering its failure to submit appropriate incorporation papers or comply with reportorial requirements from both the House and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“There is confusion in the documents being submitted to this committee and in the reportorial requirements. It brings to focus again whether SMNI is faithfully doing its duty granted to it by this august body,” he said.

For one, he said the name of one pastor Marlon Acobo – who was supposed to have taken the place of Quiboloy as early as 2022 – “is nowhere to be found” in House records of 2022 and 2023.

“We have found several violations already. I request that we consider my bill,” Gutierrez said in pushing for the approval of HB9710.

Show cause order

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senate women, children, family relations and gender equality committee chair Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, signed an order compelling Quiboloy to explain why he should not be cited in contempt for defying the Senate probe.

“You are hereby ordered to show cause within a non-extendible period of 48 hours from receipt of this Order why you should not be ordered arrested and detained at the Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms,” read the order, a copy of which was shared by Zubiri with Senate reporters.

Hontiveros earlier cited Quiboloy in contempt for snubbing her hearings on the allegations of sexual abuses against the sect leader.

Zubiri earlier said the issuance of a show-cause order instead of an outright contempt order is in compliance with a Supreme Court warning to the Senate against abuse of contempt powers.

Meanwhile, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has voiced support for Hotiveros, who is facing “defamatory” remarks from the KOJC.

ACT said there is a need to protect Hontiveros and Quiboloy’s alleged victims who came forward despite the “black propaganda” being spread by the sect, particularly through SMNI. — Neil Servallos, Marc Jayson Cayabyab