Senate panel orders arrest of KOJC leader Pastor Quiboloy

A Senate panel on Tuesday, March 5, cited in contempt and requested the arrest of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy for his refusal to testify before the investigation on the human trafficking, sexual abuses, and forced labor allegations hurled against him.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality made the motion after Quiboloy skipped the fourth hearing on Tuesday.

His lawyer, Atty. Melanio Elvis Balayan sent a letter to the committee stating: “compelling Pastor Quiboloy to appear before a committee that already pronounced him guilty would be violative of his constitutional right against self-incrimination and to be presumed innocent unless proven guilty.”

However, Hontiveros said that if they would allow witnesses of the Senate to simply claim that appearing before a committee would violate his or her constitutional right to be presumed innocent and his or her right against self-incrimination, the Senate would lose its power to conduct investigations and it would be easy for corrupt officials to evade hearings of the Blue Ribbon Committee and investigations of the Public Order Committee involved in crime.

“Hindi po uubra ang ganitong mga excuse (These excuses won’t work),” Hontiveros said.

“Pursuant to Section 18 of the Rules of the Senate, as chair of the committee, with the concurrence of one member here with me, I cite in contempt Apollo Carreon Quiboloy for his refusal to be sworn or to testify before this investigation. This committee requests the Senate President to order his arrest so that he may be brought to testify,” she stated.

However, Sen. Robinhood Padilla objected to the decision of the committee to cite Quiboloy in contempt.

“Ipagpaumanhin po ninyo, akin pong tinututulan ang pasya na ma-contempt si Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy ((I object to the decision to cite in contempt Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy). With all due respect,” he said.

Hontiveros said that a majority of all members of the committee may reverse or modify the aforesaid order of contempt within seven days.

Supporters of Quiboloy trooped outside the Senate office during the hearing asking for justice for their leader.

Last Feb. 21, Hontiveros warned Quiboloy would be arrested should he fail to attend the next Senate inquiry into the alleged crimes committed by his religious organization. — Dhel Nazario

*****
Credit belongs to: www.mb.com.ph