Three senators signed the petition initiated by Sen. Robinhood Padilla that seeks the reversal of the contempt citation versus televangelist Apollo Quiboloy after his repeated failures to attend an inquiry into numerous allegations of abuse leveled against him.
Padilla told a press conference Thursday that he got the support of fellow senators Imee Marcos, Cynthia Villar, and Christopher Lawrence Go in rejecting the likelihood of Quiboloy being arrested by the Senate.
In signing the petition last Wednesday, Villar doubted the veracity of accusations against the KOJC head whom she described as a personal friend, who was kind to her family. She also said Quiboloy simply avoided public humiliation when he decided to skip the Senate hearings.
Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito initially signed the written manifestation, which opposes the contempt order against Quiboloy, but changed his mind on Thursday.
“After careful review of the facts, witness testimonies, and additional information, such as the allegations of rape during the last committee hearing, I have decided to withdraw my signature today,” Ejercito said in a statement.
Furthermore, Ejercito noted that his consultations revealed strong precedents indicating that ongoing cases can still be heard and investigated in the Senate. “This means Pastor Quiboloy will get an opportunity to present his side,” he said.
Padilla has been gathering signatures from his colleagues to oppose the motion filed by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality, which is hearing the cases against the pastor.
Hontiveros cited Quiboloy in contempt and requested Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri to issue an arrest order against the religious leader, who was being investigated for human trafficking, sex-related offenses and violence.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect the latest position of Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito, who withdrew his signature in the petition of Sen. Robinhood Padilla.