By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Ironic, as it seems, but the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy of Davao got sick which is why he was not able to attend the hearing of the House committee on legislative franchises which is investigating, in aid of legislation, SMNI’s alleged franchise violations.

On Thursday, December 14, House Committee on Legislative Franchises chairman Gustavo “Gus” Tambunting of Parañaque’s Second District said Quiboloy gave two reasons why he turned down an invitation to appear in the last House hearing because he was sick and “because he is not an officer of SMNI.”

Quibuloy is a close friend and spiritual adviser of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

However, Tambunting said that as far as the House body is concerned, Quibuloy is the “ultimate beneficial owner” of SMNI.

“Siya (Quibuloy) po ang tunay na makikinabang doon sa programang ‘yun. Naka-layering ka eh, kumbaga may mga kumpanya pero makikita mo pa rin kung sino talaga ang makikinabang. Siya po talaga,” the Parañaque lawmaker said.

He pointed out that even the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) agrees that Quiboloy is the ultimate beneficiary of SMNI.

“Marami pong kumpanya, meron pang sole corporation papasok, kami may-ari. Pero pag in-analyze mo ay ang ultimate beneficiary — pwede silang maglagay nang ibang pangalan — pero makikita mo kung sino talaga ang tunay na may-ari e tine-trace back ‘yun. Even SEC agrees that the ultimate beneficial owner would be also Pastor Quiboloy,” Tambunting disclosed.

He added: “Kung titignan mo ‘yung mga shell holdings ng mga kumpanya kasi biro mo yung actual corporation tapos meron siyang individual shares, tapos may shares yung iba, pero pag ipinagsuma-suma mo, ang majority pa rin ay si Pastor Quiboloy. ‘Yun ang findings ng committee and that will be clearer in the coming hearings.”

Mark Tolentino, legal counsel and officer of SMNI, earlier told congressmen that Swara Sug Media Corporation of the Philippines, also known as Sonshine Media Network Inc., is not owned by Duterte’s “bff” Quiboloy.

“He’s not part of the corporate officers. He’s just a blocktimer of SMNI. We consider him an honorary chairman but he’s not part of the corporate officers, his name is not part of the corporate papers. He’s not a stockholder of SMNI or Swara Sug Media Corporation,” he said.

Tambunting said all SMNI officers, including Quiboloy, will be invited to the next hearing in January 2024.

“We can subpoena if needed. Maybe during the process of the hearing of the bill then that’s the time we will ask for his presence,” he said.

Tambunting added the committee will also tackle the allegations of sex trafficking and abuse against Quiboloy.

(AI/MNM)