Risa urges Quiboloy to face Senate probe: No one's above the law

Senator Risa Hontiveros urged Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy to face the Senate investigation into the allegations of human trafficking and sexual abuse involving the KOJC, reminding him that no one was above the law.

Hontiveros, who leads the Senate investigation into the matter, told Quiboloy that the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality had the power to compel the attendance of witnesses "no matter how well-connected they are."

"In the past, Cabinet officials, lawmakers, an incumbent Senate President, and even a former President have submitted to Senate subpoenas and appeared as witnesses. His constitutional rights, like all witnesses, are respected. Pero hindi siya mataas pa sa presidente, sa Senado, at sa batas (But he is not above the president, the Senate, and the law)," Hontiveros said in a statement.

"Isa lang ang hinihingi sa inyo -- ang magpakita sa Senado. Tinatawag niyong duwag ang testigong nakatakip ang mukha pero nagpasa naman ng affidavit, habang hindi kayo sumusunod sa subpoena at nagpadala lang ng audio clip... Bukas po ang Senado para sa panig niyo. Hinihintay namin kayo," she added.

GMA News Online sought comment from Quiboloy through his legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio but they have yet to respond as of posting time.

The subpoena issued against Quiboloy was formally served last week.

The subpoena ad testificandum was prepared on February 14 and was signed by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on February 19, Hontiveros' office earlier said.

The subpoena was issued after Quiboloy skipped the hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, which is probing the alleged abuses being linked to KOJC.

Quiboloy earlier said he would not submit himself to the Senate inquiry and would only face the allegations against him before the courts.

Hontiveros had already warned Quiboloy that he would be arrested if he failed to attend the next Senate hearing.

In a voice message posted on social media earlier this week, Quiboloy accused the United States government, with help from Philippine officials, of plotting to eliminate him.

The controversial religious leader is facing various cases in the US, including trafficking and bulk cash smuggling.

The House of Representatives had also issued a subpoena against Quiboloy, directing him to appear before the congressional inquiry into the call to revoke the franchise of Swara Sug Media Corporation, which operates Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI). — DVM, GMA Integrated News