Hontiveros urges Quiboloy to answer OFWs he allegedly exploited

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Sunday called on Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy to also face the allegation that he has “forcibly taken” salaries of several overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as donations for himself and his religious group.

Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality, presented during a previous hearing Reynita Fernandez, an OFW based in Singapore, who said that she and other domestic workers were allegedly “pressured and harassed” into giving 90% of their salaries to Quiboloy.

According to the lawmaker, Reynita lost her house because she was giving her salary to the pastor.

“Araw-gabi kumayod ang mga OFW, tapos imbes na mapunta sa pamilya nila ang pinagtrabahuhan nila, pilit silang hinuhuthutan ni Quiboloy. ‘Di na nga nakukuha ang sweldo nila, pinagbebenta pa sila ng kung anu-ano para lang makapag-remit, hindi sa kanilang pamilya, kundi sa Kingdom,” Hontiveros said.

(The OFWs worked every night and day, but instead of their salaries going to their families, it went to Quiboloy. They were also forced to sell things even if they haven’t received their salaries yet just to remit not to their family, but to the Kingdom.)

In a message to GMA News Online, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Quiboloy’s lawyer, denied the allegations and said that his client has no obligation to answer to Hontiveros' call.

“Even assuming that the allegations were true -- which they are not -- the proper forum would NOT be the Senate. The Pastor has no obligation to answer to Ms. Hontiveros, whose track record for untruthfulness is second to none,” Topacio said in a statement.

“She is obviously using her position as a bully pulpit and as a platform for advancing her own pathetic political agenda,” he added. 

Last week, 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.

The senator pointed out that the invocation of the right against self-incrimination must be made by a witness actually present and on a per question basis.

“This has been settled by the Supreme Court. Sa madaling salita, kailangan niya pa rin magpakita sa Senado. Ang bibigat na ng mga paratang sa kanya, pero hindi pa rin siya nagpapakita. Why is he hiding? Why is he so afraid? Takot ba siyang hindi niya madepensahan ng maayos ang mga inaakusa sa kanya?” she asked.

(Quiboloy still has to appear before the Senate. The accusations against him are very serious, but he still hasn't shown up. Why is he hiding? Why is he so afraid? Is he afraid that he will not be able to properly defend himself from those who are accusing him?)

The senator also urged her colleagues in the Senate to listen to more stories of the alleged victims of Quiboloy.

“Sigurado ako na kapag mapakinggan nila ang mga karanasan ng mga dating miyembro ni Quiboloy, walang mag-aatubiling manindigan para sa katarungan,” she added.

(I’m sure when they hear the experiences of Quiboloy's former members, they will not hesitate to stand up for justice.)

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

The Davao-based religious leader also accused the United States government, with help from Philippine officials, of plotting to eliminate him. Quiboloy is facing various cases in the US, including trafficking and bulk cash smuggling.—RF, GMA Integrated News