Speaker urges Quiboloy to face raps

Speaker Martin Romualdez of Leyte on Wednesday denied there was a conspiracy to pin down Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, and urged him to deal with the allegations against him before the proper courts.

”We encourage Pastor Quiboloy to address his legal challenges through the proper legal channels and respect the legal processes in place,” Romualdez said.

Reports earlier said Romualdez, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Marcos are conspiring with the United States government to have Quiboloy forcibly abducted, if not assassinated.

“While I understand the gravity of the accusations he faces on the international stage, specifically from the FBI, it is important to clarify that the Philippine government and its officials, including myself and President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., operate within the bounds of our constitution and laws. The claims of connivance with foreign entities for illicit activities are unfounded and divert attention from the serious legal matters at hand,” he said.

Romualdez was referring to pending criminal charges that Quiboloy is facing in the US namely: conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, coercion, and sex trafficking of children, marriage fraud, fraud and misuse of visas, bulk cash smuggling, promotional money laundering, and international promotional money laundering. Likewise, Quiboloy is also on the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Most Wanted List. 

“We are committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and security of all individuals, without exception. Our focus remains on serving the Filipino people and fostering relationships that benefit our nation, devoid of any engagement in criminal activities,” he said.

Romualdez then called on the public to "remain discerning of information and trust in the processes that uphold justice and democracy in our nation."

The Senate has also issued a subpoena to Quiboloy over alleged sex crimes alleged by the former members of the religious group that he leads.—LDF, GMA Integrated News