Senator Robin Padilla is gathering support from fellow senators to oppose the issuance of a warrant of arrest against Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader (KOJC) Apollo Quiboloy.
Specifically, Padilla is said to be soliciting the support of other members of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality to oppose the move against Quiboloy.
Senator Francis Tolentino, in a press conference earlier said that there are moves to overturn the ruling of panel chairperson, Senator Risa Hontiveros, over Quibiloy’s refusal to attend the Senate investigation into the alleged sexual abuses and human trafficking within the KOJC.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri confirmed that it was Padilla who discussed this move with him on Tuesday.
Zubiri said Padilla told him that Padilla can get the majority of the committee members to overrule the order of the chairperson by gathering enough signatures.
“So let’s respect that,” Zubiri said in a separate press conference.
Being the Senate president who will sign the order, Zubiri said he will wait for the Senate committee to settle the matter before giving further comments on the possible issuance of arrest warrant against Quiboloy.
“I don’t want to comment at this point in time. I shall wait for that, he has seven days, it’s a committee matter, so I respect the committee on this… Right now, it’s a committee matter, it’s a committee issue, I will no longer– I cannot preempt the decision of the committee,” Zubiri, quoted by GMA News, said.
Senator Imee Marcos also confirmed Padilla’s moves and added that she will be among the signatories.
In an interview, she said she will help secure the approval of the majority members of the said Senate committee, which has 14 members.
As chairperson of the said committee, Hontiveros cited in contempt Quiboloy and requested Zubiri to issue an arrest order against the religious leader who was being investigated for human trafficking. sez-related offenses and violence.
Based on the Rules of the Senate, the ruling of the committee chairperson can be reversed by a majority of the members.
