Abalos, Quiboloy lawyer engage in verbal spat at Senate probe

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and a lawyer of controversial televangelist Apollo Quiboloy had a heated argument on Tuesday after Abalos read a testimony of an alleged sexual abuse victim of the religious leader during a Senate hearing. 

In Jun Veneracion’s report in 24 Oras, Israelito Torreon, a legal counsel of Quiboloy, said that it was “improper” for Abalos to read such a testimony as the Senate continues its investigation on the alleged use of excessive force in issuing arrest warrants against the pastor at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) compound in Davao. 

“You will have your time Attorney Torreon! This is part of the transcript of the Senate,” said Abalos. 

“That is improper,” Torreon countered. 

Abalos rebutted: “This is my speech, you cannot tell me what is improper! That is my right.” 

The DILG secretary continued reading the testimony of the alleged victim. 

“‘Noong nakahiga na ako pumaibabaw sa akin si Quiboloy, gusto kong sumigaw ng tulong’ [...] Kung hindi totoo ito, may karapatan na sabihin na hindi totoo. Pero kung totoo ito dapat lamang sya managot sa batas.” 

(“‘When I was lying down on bed, [Quiboloy] laid on top of me and I wanted to shout for help’ [...] If this is not true, then you have the right to deny it. But if this is true, then he should be punished by the law.)

Torreon said it was unfair for Abalos to read direct quotes of the allegations. 

“To quote verbatim the allegations in the affidavit complaint I think Attorney Abalos knows it is improper in a senate proceeding [...]  That is also unfair on the part of Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy who cannot actually state also his portion.” 

Arrest warrants were issued against Quiboloy and several others for the alleged violation of Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act, and Republic Act (RA) 9208, or Qualified Human Trafficking.

Quiboloy went into hiding shortly after the Senate issued an arrest order against him for his refusal to attend the chamber's hearings.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice said during the hearing that the P10-million reward for any leads on Quiboloy is legal. 

“Maliwanag sa ating sistema na hindi bawal hindi bawal ang pabuya para mahanap ang isang akusado,” said Department of Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Ty. 

(Our system clearly provides that giving a reward against an accused individual is legal.) 

Further, a supporter of Quiboloy said that he lost loved ones due to the fear and trauma resulting from the raid at the KOJC compound.

“My dad and wife died, but no one among them told me, ‘Sir, we’re very sorry, but we are just doing our job,’” said William Lagunsay in his native language. 

But the Philippine National Police reiterated that there was no excessive force when they served the arrest warrant in Davao.

“I don't think the voices of these people represent the majority of the people. They’re but a simple minority protecting a fugitive,” said Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III, Police Regional Office 3 Director.

Quiboloy has also been indicted by a federal grand jury in the US District Court for the Central District of California for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.

In 2022, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also issued "wanted" posters for Quiboloy and two other members of his KOJC, namely Teresita Tolibas Dandan and Helen Panilag.—Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News