Lawmakers urge Quiboloy to face congressional probes on abuse allegations
MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers have called on Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy to appear at the congressional investigations regarding allegations of sexual abuse within his group and franchise violations of his broadcast network.
During a virtual press briefing, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian advised Quiboloy to participate in the congressional inquiries in order to avoid being perceived as guilty.
“He should not hide, because that is a sign of guilt. The best way is to respect the process and answer the allegations before the Senate. We are not a court to render a decision,” Gatchalian stated.
Gatchalian emphasized the importance of Quiboloy being physically present during the hearings to directly address the serious allegations against him.
“He should not be afraid of the Senate. If he hides, the Senate and the House will be forced to coordinate with the Philippine National Police to locate him,” Gatchalian added.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality, led a hearing where witnesses testified about being sexually abused and forced to beg on the streets by Quiboloy’s group.
Hontiveros sent a subpoena to Quiboloy to attend the March 5 hearing, which was received by his counsel Marie Dinah Tolentino Fuentes.
Hontiveros dismissed Quiboloy’s claim of being in hiding due to an alleged assassination plot by the administration and the United States.
“He should not play the victim. What we are only asking from him is to face the legal processes here, and that includes the Senate investigation,” said Hontiveros.
Hontiveros warned that Quiboloy would be arrested for contempt if he defies the subpoena and does not attend the next hearing.
The House of Representatives is also conducting a separate probe on Quiboloy, focusing on alleged franchise violations of his television network Sonshine Media Network International.
Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales emphasized that Quiboloy must comply with the House subpoena as “no one is above the law.”
The House committee on legislative franchises is scheduled to discuss the SMNI franchise issue on March 12.
“If he does not show up at the next hearing, I think the committee should cite him in contempt and seek his subsequent arrest,” Gonzales stated.
The committee had previously invited Quiboloy to discuss his involvement in SMNI, as his lawyer claimed he was only the “honorary chairman” of the network. However, evidence suggests he is the “beneficial owner” of the network.
Gonzales criticized Quiboloy’s accusation of the Marcos administration and the US of conspiring against him as a “desperate attempt to deflect from the issue and set the stage for potential defiance of the subpoena.”
