Contempt order vs. Quiboloy takes effect on Monday, says solon

The contempt order will be served on Pastor Apollo Quiboloy on Monday, March 18, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel has said.

The vice chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises said the House Sergeant at Arms will be ordered to take Quiboloy into custody when the contempt citation takes effect.

Pimentel had moved to cite Quiboloy in contempt during the committee’s hearing on Tuesday on Swara Sug Media Corporation’s alleged violations of its franchise to operate Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI.)

“Monday kasi 'di ba he asked until Friday palugit,” Pimentel said in a text message.

(It will be on Monday because he asked that he be given until Friday.)

He was referring to the three-day extension the committee gave Quiboloy’s lawyer Atty Ferdinand Topacio so the latter could meet with his client.

When asked if Topacio had reported back to the committee about the said meeting, Pimentel replied, “That was only a delaying tactic of Topacio. There was never an intention to talk with Quiboloy. We should know better.”

Sought for comment about his meeting with Quiboloy, Topacio told GMA Integrated News that it went well.

Topacio also said he was coordinating with the office of Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting to fulfill his promise of reporting back to the committee about his meeting with Quiboloy.

Tambunting is the chairman of the House panel investigating the alleged violations of SMNI.

Topacio said the pastor was in the Prayer Mountain in Davao.

Meanwhile, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiversos on Friday rejected Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s continued insistence of non-appearance in the Senate inquiry on Quiboloy’s alleged sex crimes.

“I will request the Senate President [Miguel Zubiri] to approve the warrant of arrest [for Quiboloy]," Hontiveros sai after Quiboloy complied with show cause order and insisted he need not appear in the Senate probe because Hontiveros already pre-judged him. —NB, GMA Integrated News