House panel threatens Quiboloy with arrest
Pastor Apollo quiboloy faces arrest if he snubs anew the summons of the House of Representatives to testify on alleged franchise violations by his Sonshine Media Network International Network.
quiboloy, the honorary chairperson of SMNI, legally operating as Swara Sug Media Corporation, was a no-show since December at multiple hearings of the House Committee on legislative Franchises on a bill seeking to revoke the network’s legislative franchise.
“There will be a contempt order. That would depend on the committee, but he can be arrested in case he does not attend,” said panel chair Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting.
On Monday, the House issued a subpoena to quiboloy to appear at its next hearing on 12 March to testify on SMNI’s alleged violation of its franchise under Republic Act 1142, which in 2019 granted the network a 25-year franchise renewal.
“Vice Chairman Johnny Pimentel requested the physical presence of Apollo quiboloy because of the inability of his lawyers to answer some questions,” Tambunting said.
The Senate, on the same day, also summoned quiboloy to appear at its next hearing into alleged cases of large-scale human trafficking, rape, sexual abuse and violence, and child abuse happening within the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
quibiloy is the founder and leader of the KOJC based in Davao City.
SMNI is facing an administrative case for purported violations of the terms and conditions of its franchise, such as deliberately disseminating false information and willful misrepresentation against government officials and other entities.
In January, the National Telecommunications Commission ordered the indefinite suspension of SMNI radio and television stations pending a hearing and final consideration of its administrative case with the agency.
The NTC’s order follows the marathon inquiry of Tambunting’s panel last year after one of SMNI’s programs allegedly aired a “false” report that Speaker Martin Romualdez had run up a whopping P1.8-billion travel expense, which House Secretary General Reginald Velasco debunked.