VP Sara seeks justice for Quiboloy, SMNI

Vice President Sara Duterte is standing by Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy, who is accused of child abuse and human trafficking, saying that he deserves to be given a fair trial in the right court.

Duterte said she believes that what Quiboloy is currently facing is violence and unfairness as he seemed to have been given a guilty verdict already based on claims of unknown witnesses. 

“Sa mga ginagawang pagdinig ay tila pinatawan na ng guilty verdict si Pastor Quiboloy, kahit na nakabatay lamang ang pagdinig na ito sa mga paratang ng mga testigo na nagkukubli ng kanilang katauhan at hindi mapatunayan ang kredibilidad,” the Vice President said in a video message posted by Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) on X (formerly Twitter). 

(Pastor Quiboloy has seemingly been given a guilty verdict in hearings, even though there were only allegations of witnesses who hide their identity and cannot prove their credibility.) 

“Marami sa atin ang naniniwala na ang dinaranas ngayon ni Pastor Quiboloy ay isang pandarahas at hindi patas,” she added. 

(Many of us believe that what Pastor Quiboloy is facing now is unfairness.)

Senator Risa Hontiveros earlier cited Quiboloy in contempt after the religious leader repeatedly ignored the subpoena issued by the Senate as he invoked his right to due process.

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

In her video message, Duterte also called the suspension of the operations of SMNI – which is the media arm of the KOJC — an issue of media freedom. 

“Lagi po tayong manalangin para sa hustisya at katotohanan [Let's always pray for justice and truth]. Justice and the truth cannot be achieved in trial by publicity, but by a day in court,” she said. 

In December last year, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) ordered a 30-day suspension of the operations of SMNI over the reported violation of the terms and conditions of its franchise.

In January, the NTC ordered SMNI anew to stop its operations pending final decision on its ongoing administrative case.

The camp of Quiboloy last Friday said that he has not been involved in the management and operations of SMNI since 2018, and only serves as an "honorary chairman" of the broadcasting company.  —KBK, GMA Integrated News