By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Following the release of the Senate arrest order and impending detention of self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” televangelist Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy for his continued snub of the chamber’s hearings into his alleged human trafficking and sexual abuse crimes, one of his lawyers on Wednesday (20 March 2024) said they may go the Supreme Court (SC) as their last resort.
Quiboloy, reputedly a close friend and spiritual adviser of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, is also wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and on Nov. 10, 2021, a federal warrant was issued for his arrest.
The controversial televangelist was indicted by a federal grand jury in California for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, child sex trafficking, and bulk cash smuggling.
Lawyer Elvis Balayan maintained that the judiciary could “interpret the constitutional limitations on the power of Congress to conduct investigations.”
He pointed out that while they respect the decision of the Senate to issue an arrest order, Quiboloy would “exert all available legal remedies to protect his constitutional rights.”
Balayan also noted that the Senate Committee on Women chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros was acting like a court and had deemed the pastor guilty.
“The pastor cannot be duped into appearing in a trial by publicity… The Senate is not the dispenser of justice in this country. Only the courts can declare the guilt or innocence of Pastor Quiboloy,” he stressed.
(el Amigo/MNM)
