By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Not even the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” Pastor Apollo Carreon Quiboloy can always evade the hearings at the Senate and House of Representatives.
Retired Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Sunday (31 March 2024) said that Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Quiboloy has no choice but to appear before the Senate Committee and may only invoke his right against self-incrimination only when an incriminating question is asked.
It can be recalled that Janet Napoles — the controversial “pork barrel queen” who was convicted of plunder — also used to invoke her right against self-incrimination when she was grilled by lawmakers.
A subpoena was issued against Quiboloy amid the investigation into the cases of alleged large-scale human trafficking and child abuse within his religious group.
“All those subpoenaed by the Senate or its Committees in aid of legislation have no choice but to appear before the Senate or its Committees,” Carpio said.
He added: “They may raise the right against self-incrimination, and refuse to answer the incriminating question, only after the question is asked. Before an incriminating question is asked by the Senate or its Committees, there is no constitutional right that may be violated.”
Citing a former ruling, Carpio undescored that “[t]he unremitting obligation of every citizen is to respond to subpoena, to respect the dignity of the Congress and its Committees, and to testify fully with respect to matters within the realm of proper investigation.”
(el Amigo/MNM)