HOUSE lawmakers belonging to the Makabayan bloc chided Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy for saying that some women are "fighting" for his riches, and urged him instead to attend the House inquiry into his network, Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), on March 12.

Quiboloy on Wednesday lashed out at what he said was the "persecution" he was being subjected to, and claimed that the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, and the State Department were out to assassinate him.

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro. PHOTO FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WEBSITE

He also said the women who testified during a Senate hearing that he raped them only wanted to get back at him for spurning their pleas for him to marry them.

In a press conference on Thursday, Rep. Francisca "France" Castro (ACT Teachers Party-list) said Quiboloy's claim that he was being chased by women was a "tall tale."

"'Wag ka ngang feelingero na hinahabol ka ng kababaihan. Hinahabol ka dahil sa accountability mo sa mga kababaihan. Harapin mo 'yung accountability mo (Women are after you not because they are attracted to you, but because of your accountability to them, which you should face)," Castro said.

She demanded that Quiboloy attend the hearing of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises on the revocation of the franchise of Swara Sug Media Corp., the legal name of SMNI.

Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas said the reason women are chasing Quiboloy is because many of them were victims of his human trafficking scheme.

"Those who accused him of rape cases are the ones who are chasing him for their justice," Brosas said.

She said the church leader is using the pretext that he and his congregation are in danger to evade congressional inquiries.

Aside from the House probe, the Senate has also subpoenaed Quiboloy to attend hearings by the Women and Children Committee looking into alleged sexual misconduct cases.

"All of this hullabaloo about his threats are just words of someone who is now cornered. He needs to face the cases being alleged against him," Brosas said.

Castro, who had alleged that former president Rodrigo Duterte threatened her life during an SMNI program, advised the pastor, "If you feel that you are threatened, file a case in court like what I did."

Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said Quiboloy knows that he can "defy the law," because he commands a strong following as the leader of a sect.

"I don't think being an appointed son of God puts you above the law, and I'm sure, no one is above the law," Acidre said.