(UPDATE) THE Senate on Tuesday ordered the arrest of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) Leader Apollo Quiboloy for unduly refusing to appear, despite due notice, at the hearings of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality on Jan. 23, Feb. 19 and March 5, 2024.
Quiboloy merely sent his counsel to appear on his behalf, for which the Senate panel saw no justifiable reason — thereby delaying, impeding and obstructing the inquiry into the reported violation of human trafficking, rape, sexual abuse and violence, and child abuse.
The arrest order was issued following the motion of Sen. Ana Theresia "Risa" Hontiveros, chairman of the Committee on Women, and seconded by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel 3rd, during the March 5 hearing.
Hontiveros signed the arrest order that was consequently approved by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.
Once arrested, Quiboloy will be detained at the Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms until he appears and testifies in the committee.
On Friday, March 15, Hontiveros denied Quiboloy's appeal to set aside the contempt order and recall the subpoenas issued against him.
Quiboloy, through his counsel Elvis Bantayan, submitted his response to a Senate show-cause order in connection with the investigation of the abuses being slapped against him and his religious sect.
On March 13, the show-case order was issued, asking Quiboloy to explain within a non-extendable period of 48 hours why he should not be ordered arrested and detained at the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms for repeatedly refusing to attend the Senate panel's inquiry.
Bantayan maintained that it would be "useless" for his client to attend the Senate hearing as the resolution calling for the investigation has already judged Quiboloy guilty of wrongdoings.
He argued that Congress' power to investigate "in aid of legislation" has limits and should not be done in violation of human rights.
"There is a limit to Congress' authority to probe, that is... to regulate, control the legislator from abusing the fundamental bill of rights of resource persons or witnesses appearing there," Bantayan said.
Earlier, Sen Ronald "Bato" de la Rosa said that he has high regard and respect for Quiboloy, and for him, the televangelist could not commit the alleged offenses.
Apart from de la Rosa, Senators Cynthia Villar, Maria Imelda Josefa "Imee" Marcos and Robinhood Padilla questioned the purpose of the Senate investigation on KOJC.
Former senator Leila de Lima and Liberal Party spokesman commended her former colleagues at the Senate for confirming the warrant of arrest against Quiboloy.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, de Lima said it is a "significant day" for the fight against impunity.
"I commend [Senate President Juan Miguel] Zubiri for signing the warrant of arrest against alleged sexual offender Apollo Quiboloy," she wrote. "This is a significant day for the fight against the impunity of powerful but depraved demagogues."
Court charges vs Quiboloy
Legal proceedings on Pastor Quiboloy's cases had been initiated by the Davao City Prosecutor's Office, arising from allegations of sexual and child abuse, the Department of Justice (DoJ) said on Tuesday.
This came after a directive from a court resolution (AAA v. Quiboloy et al.) issued on March 5 by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, the DoJ said.
Specifically, Quiboloy faces charges under Section 5(b) of Republic Act (RA) 7610 (Other Sexual Abuse), focusing on the protection of children against abuse, exploitation, and discrimination.
Furthermore, the DoJ said additional charges under Section 10(a) of the same act (Other Acts of Child Abuse) have been filed against Quiboloy, along with Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid Canada and Sylvia Cemanes, aimed at safeguarding children's psychological and emotional health.
Earlier, the Davao City Prosecutor's Office endorsed a complaint for Qualified Trafficking in Persons to the DoJ main office.
Pursuant to Department Order 144, the Task Force on Women and Children and Against Trafficking In Persons was directed to prepare the necessary Information against Quiboloy and his co-respondents for the crime of Qualified Human Trafficking under Section 4 (a) of RA 9208, as amended. This information was filed before the appropriate court in Pasig City.
An Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order was issued against Quiboloy last February 27 to stop him from fleeing the country.
Quiboloy is also on the US FBI's Most Wanted list over alleged conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.
Quiboloy was indicted by a federal grand jury in the US District Court for the Central District of California, Santa Ana, California, for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling, and on November 10, 2021, a federal warrant was issued for his arrest.
WITH FRANCO JOSE C. BAROÑA AND ARIC JOHN SY CUA
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