Philippine prosecutors to use plea deal of KOJC member vs. Quiboloy

Prosecutors will use the plea bargain entered by a human resource manager of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) abroad in the cases against its leader Apollo Quiboloy in the Philippines, Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said Thursday.

Clavano, however, said that the plea bargain will have no “official effect” on the cases in the Philippines unless it is introduced in the country.

“Pero dahil nandyan na ‘yan, nasa media na ‘yan, syempre gagamitin na ‘yan ng ating mga prosecutor dahil alam na nila na inadmit na ng co-respodent ni Quiboloy sa ibang jurisdiction. I’m sure they will attempt also to do the same here,” he said.

(Since it's already in the media and they know the co-respondent of Quiboloy has admitted it in another jurisdiction, our prosecutors will certainly use this. I'm sure they will also try to do the same here.)

This came after Marissa Duenas, a KOJC HR manager in Van Nuys, agreed to plead guilty to the conspiracy charge to defraud the US in exchange for a reduced sentence.

Duenas admitted to reaching an agreement with others to commit marriage fraud.

“There needs to be steps taken for us to introduce that evidence here in the Philippines as well. Hindi naman ho kasi ‘yan automatic na dahil ho nag plead guilty siya sa ibang jurisdiction ay nag plead guilty na rin siya dito sa Pilipinas,” he said.

(Steps need to be taken to introduce that evidence here in the Philippines as well. Just because he pleaded guilty in another jurisdiction doesn't automatically mean he pleaded guilty here in the Philippines.)

“We have to get the plead of guilt also for the cases filed here in the Philippines,” he added.

Quiboloy and the others are facing charges for child abuse before a Quezon City court. He is also facing charges for qualified trafficking before a Pasig court.

Aside from his legal troubles in the Philippines, Quiboloy is also facing charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and sex trafficking of children; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling in the United States.

Clavano said the US government has not yet made a request to extradite him. —NB, GMA Integrated News