Senate seeks SC dismissal of Quiboloy plea vs. arrest

THE Senate has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to dismiss the petition filed by Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy who questioned the validity of an arrest order issued by the Senate.

Quiboloy’s arrest was issued last March by the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality which is chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros.

The controversial religious leader was cited in contempt and an arrest order was subsequently issued for his refusal to participate in the Senate’s investigations on alleged sexual abuse, human trafficking, forced labor, and other human rights violations hurled against him.

In his petition, Quiboloy asked the SC to issue a temporary restraining order and stop implementation of the arrest order against him for being “unjust and unconstitutional.”

He said the Senate’s investigation violates his constitutional rights to due process and against self-incrimination.

According to him, the Senate hearings “do not serve any legislative purpose” and that the probe was tantamount to usurpation of judicial functions.

During its traditional summer sessions in Baguio City, the SC required the Senate to comment on Quiboloy’s petition.

SC Spokesperson Atty. Camille Sue Mae L. Ting said the High Court would deliberate on Quiboloy’s plea for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the arrest order once the Senate’s comment on the petition is filed.

In its comment, the Senate argued that “Quiboloy has failed to establish a clear and unmistakable right that is under threat, nor is he at risk of suffering an irreparable injury” should the arrest order be implemented.

“He offers not a right but a speculative and doubtful prediction of what will happen if he attends a legitimate inquiry, as if he is prescient as to how the 24 senators will act in the future,” the comment said.

The Senate also asserted that the injuries claimed by Quiboloy because of the Senate’s arrest order “is purely selfinflicted.”