Senate issues arrest order vs. Quiboloy

The Senate on Tuesday officially released an arrest order against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy for "unduly refusing to appear, despite due notices" at the hearings of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Risa Hontiveros signed the document on Tuesday.

The document was released a day after Hontiveros, who leads the investigation against the KOJC leader, said that the Senate panel found that Quiboloy's response to the Senate's show cause order is "nowhere near satisfactory."

"[T]herefore, upon motion of the undersigned Chairperson, and seconded by Senator Aquilino 'Koko' Pimentel III, the Committee, during the March 5, 2024 hearing, hereby cites PASTOR APOLLO C. QUIBOLOY in contempt of the Committee, and of the Senate, and ordered arrested and detained at the Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms until such time that he will appear and testify in the Committee, or otherwise purges himself of that contempt," the arrest order read.

The Senate Sergeant-at-Arms was directed to carry out and implement the arrest order and return it within 24 hours from its enforcement.

JUST IN: Senate President Migz Zubiri signs the arrest order against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/K4kj3aK4P3

— Hana Bordey (@HanaBordey) March 19, 2024

GMA News Online sought the comment of Quiboloy's lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, but he has yet to respond as of posting time.

In a statement, Zubiri maintained that the decision to issue an arrest order was based on the committee's decision and his signing was only part of his duty as Senate president.

"We maintain that this is a committee matter...the chairperson, Senator Risa Hontiveros, found no merit in the explanation of Pastor Quiboloy and has ruled to deny the reliefs prayed for and to issue the order of arrest," Zubiri said.

"Pursuant to our duly published Rules Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation and the Rules of the Senate, it is ministerial for me to sign the order of arrest. We are signing the order to protect our committee system, to preserve the Senate's power of inquiry with process to enforce it.

The Senate president said that there will be no need to order Quiboloy's arrest if he appears in the next hearing and purge himself of contempt.

"We reiterate that the purpose of the order of arrest is not to punish but to make the inquiry potent and compelling," he explained.

Backchanneling

Zubiri told reporters that the Senate even initiated backchanneling efforts to reach out to Quiboloy, but to no avail.

"We tried our best even backchanneling to ask Pastor Quiboloy to attend, the best possible way we can through other intermediaries, pero ayaw niya talagang pumunta dito [but he doesn't want to go here]. So, we have no other choice but to issue the warrant of arrest," Zubiri said.

In case Quiboloy shows up at the Senate, Zubiri said they will give him due respect and his rights as a resource person will be observed.

Quiboloy will likewise be safe and protected under the Senate custody, he added.

In a statement, Hontiveros thanked Zubiri for signing the order, saying this came in time for Women's month.

"Walang karapatan si Quiboloy yurakan ang dignidad ng Senado. Ang pambabastos niya sa institusyong ito ay hindi dapat palampasin," she said.

[Quiboloy has no right to trample on the dignity of the Senate. His disrespect towards the institution should not be tolerated.]

Speaking with reporters, Hontiveros said with the issuance of the order, Quiboloy's arrest can happen anytime.

Should the KOJC leader be arrested, a Senate hearing will be immediately conducted, she said.

'Contempt order to set aside'

In response to the Senate's show cause order issued on March 13, Quiboloy's lawyer Melanio Balayan urged that the contempt order be set aside and deny the issuance of a warrant of arrest against the KOJC leader, recall of the subpoenas issued by the Senate, and discuss their response to the show cause order at the Senate plenary.

He argued that Senate's move to compel the appearance of his client is "tantamount to usurpation of judicial functions beyond the powers of the Senate" and that the resolution filed by Hontiveros is "incriminatory as it categorically declared the guilt" of the KOJC leader "totally disregarding... presumption of innocence until proven guilty."

Balayan further asserted that the refusal of Quiboloy to attend the probe is "not a sign of disrespect" to the Senate nor a disregard of its powers and functions "but is purely based on the fact that the criminal allegations against him can only be legitimately settled before the competent courts."

House probe, US court

The House of Representatives is also deliberating on House Bill 9710, which seeks to revoke the franchise of Swara Sug Media Corp., the operator of KOJC's broadcast arm Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

In a text message to GMA Integrated News, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, vice chair of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, said the contempt order against Quiboloy would be served on March 18, Monday.

Last March 7, Central District of California Judge Terry Hatter Jr. ordered the unsealing of the arrest warrants against Quiboloy and his co-accused in the KOJC leader's case, which involves charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, coercion, sex trafficking of children, conspiracy, and cash smuggling. — VDV/RSJ, GMA Integrated News