Quiboloy urged to face Senate

FORMER Senate president Franklin Drilon on Wednesday called on Apollo Quiboloy, the head of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, to obey the law and present himself to a Senate inquiry.

The Senate issued an arrest order after the embattled pastor was held in contempt for ignoring the summons of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality, headed by Sen. Risa Hontiveros.

On March 22, Quiboloy’s camp filed a petition for certiorari, with the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) and/or preliminary injunction before the Supreme Court to contest the Senate’s arrest order against him.

The high court denied the petition. “The Supreme Court, in refusing to grant the TRO prayed for by Quiboloy, upheld the principle of separation of powers between the equal branches of the government,” Drilon said in a statement.

“Quiboloy should accord due respect to the ruling of the Supreme Court and the processes of the Senate, as upheld by the [Supreme Court],” Drilon added.

Supreme Court spokesman Camille Sue Mae Ting said the Senate was ordered to comment on Quiboloy’s petition within 10 days upon receipt of the notice.

Hontiveros said retired Supreme Court justice Antonio Carpio will help her justify the legality of the Senate arrest order against fugitive Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

The senator said she is ready to comply with any directive to comment on Quiboloy’s petition preventing the Senate from enforcing its arrest order against him.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on March 19 approved Hontiveros’ request to issue a warrant of arrest against Quiboloy after he refused to appear before a hearing regarding allegations of sexual abuse.

The self-proclaimed “appointed son of God” and Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KoJC) leader turned to the Supreme Court to nullify the contempt order.

Quiboloy repeatedly snubbed the Senate inquiry on his alleged sexual abuse and maltreatment of some KoJC members.

“While we have yet to receive and read the [high court] order, we certainly will comply with the directive of the [Supreme Court], cognizant of the principle of separation of powers and with only the highest respect for our institutions,” Hontiveros said.

Quiboloy is also facing criminal charges before regional trial courts in Davao City and Pasig City over alleged sexual abuse and qualified human trafficking.