Padilla gathering signatures to oppose Quiboloy arrest, Zubiri says

Senator Robin Padilla is gathering the support of other members of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality to oppose the issuance of a warrant of arrest against Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy.

It was Senator Francis Tolentino who first disclosed that there are moves to overturn the ruling of panel chairperson, Senator Risa Hontiveros, over Quiboloy's refusal to attend the Senate investigation into the alleged sexual abuses and human trafficking within the religious group.

"I think there is a group gathering the necessary signatures to thwart any attempt for the issuance of a warrant of arrest," Tolentino said in a press conference on Wednesday.

This was later confirmed by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri who said that it was Padilla who discussed this move with him on Tuesday.

"According to Senator Robin (Padilla), kinausap ko siya, makakakuha daw siya ng majority of the committee members to overrule the order of the chairperson...Nag-usap kami kahapon sabi niya he will try to raise the signatures, meron daw siyang seven days. So let's respect that," Zubiri said in a separate press conference.

Being the Senate president who will sign the order, Zubiri said he will wait for the Senate committee to settle the matter before giving further comments on the possible issuance of arrest warrant against Quiboloy.

"I don't want to comment at this point in time. I shall wait for that, he has seven days, it's a committee matter, so I respect the committee on this... Right now, it's a committee matter, it's a committee issue, I will no longer-- I cannot preempt the decision of the committee," Zubiri said.

In another press conference, Senator Imee Marcos also confirmed Padilla's moves and added that she will be among the signatories.

"Kami ni Senator Robin, talagang pipirma, nagkasundo kami kagabi na pipirma kami para ipaatras itong contempt order kasi parang 'di naman s'ya tama," Marcos told reporters.

She also mentioned the possible support of Senator Bong Go and Cynthia Villar in the move to overturn the Senate panel's ruling.

In aid of legislation?

Marcos then questioned the ongoing probe against the KOJC leader and said that she is doubting that the investigation is in aid of legislation.

"Kinakailangan nga na alamin muna natin lahat ng kinakailangang alamin, kasi puro kwentuhan lamang. May testigo nga, alam ko narinig ko si Senator Risa, pero ganun pa man, kinakailangan na bigyang daan pa rin ang nasa korte at di ako sigurado na in aid of legislation talaga ang mangyayari," she said.

"Kasi kung tutuusin natin 'yung nasa korte at ang nasa Senate e halos parehas ng paksa... Ang problema ang Senate hindi naman prosecutorial body, parati tayong in aid of legislation. Talaga bang in aid of legislation ito? Yun yung pinagtatakahan ko," she went on.

Marcos also argued that the accusations being raised against Quiboloy were "originally derived from the United States."

"They were committed elsewhere. Dapat nanggaling 'yung kaso doon eh hanggang ngayon wala namang pinapadala dito sa Pilipinas. Kaya ang pinagtataka namin, kung bakit bigla e lahat ng kasong 'to e dumagsa," she argued.

"Baka naman may nasa likod nang lahat ng ito... Kaya’t siguro huminahon tayo at wag naman nating inaapi ang tao," she added.

GMA News Online sought the confirmation of Padilla on the move to gather signatures to overturn the issuance of contempt order against Quiboloy but he has yet to respond as of posting time.

Contempt

During the continuation of the Senate investigation on Tuesday, Hontiveros cited Quiboloy in contempt after the religious leader repeatedly ignored the subpoena issued by the Senate as he invoked his right to due process.

Minutes after the Senate panel decided on Quiboloy's arrest, Padilla raised his objection to the ruling without giving any reasons why.

Under Section 18 of the Rules of Procedures Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation, "a majority of all the members may... reverse or modify the aforesaid order of contempt within seven days."

Apart from Hontiveros, Marcos and Padilla, the other members of the Senate panel are Senators Nancy Binay, Pia Cayetano, Cynthia Villar, Grace Poe, Raffy Tulfo, Bong Go, JV Ejercito, and Mark Villar.

Ex-officio members are Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda and Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, and Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III. —VAL, GMA Integrated News