SENATE TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED CRIMINAL ACTS OF QUIBOLOY

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — The Senate is scheduled to investigate the alleged criminal acts of Apollo Quiboloy, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC). The hearing is on January 23, 2024.

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros has shared a copy of the notice of the hearing regarding Quiboloy.

The chair of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality has also sent a letter to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, seeking assistance to ensure Quiboloy’s physical presence in the Senate.

“In the interest of justice and due process, it is my strong desire to ensure that he will be physically present in the Senate for the hearing,” stated Hontiveros.

Meanwhile, Senator Robin Padilla opposes the Senate’s probe on Quiboloy, arguing that the case falls outside the jurisdiction of the Philippines.

“That’s an American case. Pastor’s case is an American case. What is it? Like the International Criminal Court (ICC)? Are we going to bow down to foreigners again? Is that how it seems?” Padilla remarked.

“For us, especially for me, I feel uneasy when it involves a case with foreigners… [Andres] Bonifacio would be offended. I don’t like it. But if it’s in the Philippines, I can’t do anything. He’s a Filipino. If we base it on the courts of other countries, no way,” added the senator.

(ai/mnm)