Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri on Tuesday signed and released the arrest order against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy for his willful disobedience of a legislative committee.
Meanwhile The Department of Justice also filed criminal charges before the regional trial courts in Davao City and Pasig City against the televangelist for the alleged sexual abuse and qualified human trafficking in 2011 of a young girl who was then 17 years old.
Quiboloy is expected to be detained at the Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSSA) in Pasay City until he decides to properly answer all allegations of abuse hurled against him.
The arrest warrant was issued as the church leader repeatedly ignored the hearings called by the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality on January 23, February 19, and March 5, 2024.
In a statement, the DOJ stressed that the charges filed against Quiboloy before the Davao City RTC was a criminal case for violationsof Section 5(b) and Section 10(a) of Republic Act No. 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
Quiboloy’s five co-accused in the case for violation of RA 7610 include Jackielyn W. Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid C. Canada, and Sylvia Cemanes.
Filed against Quiboloy and his five co-accused before the Pasig CityRTC was a case for violation of Section 4(a) of RA 9208, the Anti-Trafficking Persons Act of 2003.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said that the DOJ will move for the transfer of the Davao City RTC case to any RTC branch in Manila.
In a two-page arrest order, Zubiri noted that Quiboloy merely sent his legal counsel to speak on his behalf without justifiable reason.
The Senate President said this delayed the inquiry into the reported violations of human trafficking, rape, sexual abuse and violence and child abuse against the pastor.
The warrant was released upon the motion of Committee chairperson Senator Risa Hontiveros and seconded by Senator Aquilino Pimentel III during the March 5 hearing, in which Quiboloy was cited in contempt.
Zubiri stressed that Hontiveros has found no merit in the explanation of the KOJC founder and has ruled to deny the reliefs prayed for by his camp.
“Pursuant to our duly published Rules Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation and the Rules of the Senate, it is ministerial for me to sign the order of arrest,” Zubiri said.
“We are signing the order to protect our Committee system, to preserve the Senate’s power of inquiry with process to enforce it,” he added.
Should the witness appear during the next hearing and purge himself of contempt, the Senate chief stressed there will be no need to order the arrest of the KOJC.
“We reiterate that the purpose of the order of arrest is not to punish, but to make the inquiry potent and compelling,” Zubiri pointed out.
According to the Senate President, Quiboloy was earlier issued a show cause order in recognition of his rights to defend himself.
Hontiveros thanked Zubiri for signing the arrest order as she asserted that Quiboloy has no right to trample on the dignity of the Senate.
“We should not let go of his ‘pambabastos’ (insolence) against this institution,” she said.
Once Quiboloy is arrested, Hontiveros said they will immediately set a hearing where the pastor can attend, listen, and answer their questions.
“We tried our best even backchanneling to ask Pastor Quiboloy to attend the best possible way we can through other mediaries pero ayaw niya talagang pumunta dito so we have no other choice but to issue the warrant of arrest “The Department of Justice is dedicated to the enforcement of our laws and the protection of our children from exploitation and abuse,” Remulla said.
“These cases underscore our commitment to hold accountable those who would harm our society’s most vulnerable,” the DOJ secretary added.
He also said the cases also serve as “a reminder that no individual, regardless of their position, is above the law.”
The filing of the case in Davao City RTC was contained in a resolution issued by Remulla, who granted the petition for review of the female victim. She sought the reversal of the Nov. 23, 2020 resolution of the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office that dismissed her complaint against Quiboloy and the other accused.
Remulla’s resolution also resulted in the filing of charges before the appropriate court in Pasig City of the case of qualified human trafficking.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline Enough with the disrespect! Senate finally orders arrest of Apollo Quiboloy