By Junex Doronio
MANILA — At long last, after seeing that “more than reasonable time has lapsed,” a warrant of arrest has been issued by the Davao Regional Trial Court (RTC) against former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s spiritual adviser and Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) leader Pastor Apollo Carreon Quiboloy for sexual abuse.
The Davao RTC issued an arrest warrant last March 14, but its implementation was suspended after the court was informed by the Quiboloy camp that a motion for reconsideration was filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Also ordered arrested are Jackiely W. Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid C. Canada, and Sylvia Camanes.
The KOJC leader and others were charged with violating Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law, specifically the provision on sexual abuse of minors and maltreatment.
In 1985, Quiboloy founded the KOJC in Davao City and made claims of being the “Appointed Son of God” and “the Owner of the Universe”.
According to Wikipedia, he’s on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) wanted list after the Central District of California indicted him and accomplices for conspiracy to engage in sex and human trafficking, marriage fraud, coercion, money laundering, cash smuggling, and other charges.
The Davao RTC said it has not received any resolution on the motion for reconsideration.
“Having received none as of this date, the Court declines this time to await. As what was earlier determined upon judicious examination and perusal of information where it found probable cause, let the warrants of arrest already issued be implemented immediately,” the court said in its order.
The Quiboloy camp could not be reached for comment as of this posting.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — In line with the envisioned Bagong Pilipinas by the administration of President Ferdinand Bongbong R. Marcos Jr., the House of Representatives resolved on Wednesday (20 March 2024) night the immediate transmittal to the Senate of both the resolution on economic constitutional reform and the bill revoking the franchise of Swara Sug Media Corporation, which operates as Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) of controversial televangelist Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy.
Voting 288-8-2, the lower chamber passed on the third and final reading RBH No. 7, which seeks to amend specific economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution concerning public utilities, education, and advertising by inserting the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” to give more flexibility regarding foreign ownership and participation in certain investments.
RBH 7, which mirrors RBH No. 6, is still being deliberated in the Senate.
The House has also invoked Article 17 Section 1 of the Constitution which allows it to propose amendments to the electorate by a 3/4 vote of all members.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, who co-authored RBH No. 7 with several other House leaders and members, underscored that the proposed economic constitutional amendments represent the final component of the investment measures pursued by the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.
On the other hand, the revocation of SMNI’s franchise was prompted by a series of violations, including spreading fake news, involvement in red-tagging, and committing serious corporate offenses.
“Tinutupad lamang po natin ang mandatong ini-atang sa atin ng Konstitusyon at ng taumbayan. Walang personalan dito. Trabaho lang,” Romualdez quipped.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Following the unsealing of the arrest warrants against Quiboloy and his co-accused by a California judge in the United States, the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday (11 March 2024) said it was ready to implement orders concerning the cases against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy.
It was learned that the unsealing was requested by the United States Attorney Criminal Division handling Quiboloy’s case, which involves charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, coercion, sex trafficking of children, conspiracy, and cash smuggling.
“On the part of the PNP, just like we normally and usually do kapag kailangan po ng assistance ng PNP ay lagi naman po tayong naka-ready na magbigay ng assistance sa other concerned government agencies like DOJ (Department of Justice) at DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) po,” PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said in a press conference.
Last Thursday (7 March 2024), Central District of California Judge Terry Hatter Jr. ordered the unsealing of the arrest warrants against Quiboloy and his co-accused.
“Upon application of the government, and for good cause shown, the arrest warrants and returns in this case are unsealed,” Hatter declared in his order dated March 1, 2024.
New York lawyer Lara Gregory said this could be the first step in initiating the extradition process by the US Department of Justice for Quiboloy.
However, Fajardo said the PNP has not yet received any communication from the US regarding the cases against Quiboloy.
The national police spokesperson added that the PNP would first consult with “higher” authorities for the possible implementation of the order from the foreign jurisdiction.
Last month, Quiboloy denied in an audio message the allegations and accused the US government, allegedly with help from Philippine government officials, of plotting to “eliminate” him through rendition.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Apprehensive that the bank accounts of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s spiritual adviser Pastor Apollo Quiboloy will be transferred to his dummies, ex-senator Leila de Lima has asked authorities to open the bank accounts of the controversial televangelist who is wanted in the United States for alleged child abuse and human trafficking.
De Lima said Quiboloy and the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) group should be opened for scrutiny “before these are emptied and the DDS stash transferred to other dummies.”
Quiboloy is still in hiding and he claimed that the Marcos Jr. administration was working with the US government to have him assassinated.
He is wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for charges of sex trafficking, bulk cash smuggling, coercion, fraud, and conspiracy.
Politiko.com reported that Quiboloy has been spotted at a social gathering with former President Rodrigo Duterte, nearly three weeks after announcing that he’s gone into hiding.
It added that photos shared by content creator Boss Dada on Facebook showed Duterte and Quiboloy dining with vloggers and other social media influencers. (el Amigo/MNM)