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HOUSE COMMITTEE CITES QUIBOLOY FOR CONTEMPT

admin March 13, 2024

KINGDOM of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy on Tuesday was cited for contempt by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises over his repeated absence on the hearing into the alleged franchise violations of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel moved to cite Quiboloy in contempt for his non-appearance at Tuesday’s hearing.

Pimentel said Quiboloy refused to obey the summons without a legal excuse and acted in a disrespectful manner, which are grounds under Section 11 of the House rules.

“The fact that he has not been appearing in these hearings in this committee just shows that he has no respect for this committee. It just shows that he acts like God. He acts with impunity. He takes this hearing for granted. Ipinagwawalang bahala niya. Importante po siya dito,” Pimentel said.

The Surigao del Sur solon said the House has previously issued a subpoena to Quiboloy following his absence from the committee hearings held on Dec. 5 to 11, 2023, and Feb. 7, 2024, despite receiving multiple invitations.

Quiboloy’s lawyers said the religious leader has not been involved in the management and daily operations of SMNI since 2018, noting that he only holds the title of “honorary chairman.”

However, lawmakers maintained that Quiboloy is the actual “beneficial owner” of Swara Sug Media Corporation, which runs and operates SMNI.

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, meanwhile, said they have already submitted to the House panel a letter which provided legal justification for the non-presence of Quiboloy.

Topacio said they have stated in the letter that Pastor Quiboloy around four years now has had no hand whatsoever in the running of SMNI.

Meanwhile, the committee also approved House Bill 9710, which seeks the revocation of SMNI’s franchise.

House Bill 9710, filed by 1-Rider Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez, was approved unanimously by all members of the committee chaired by Parañaque Rep. Gustavo Tambunting after Pimentel moved to approve the bill without any revisions.

Pimentel said that the committee found that the network violated Section 4, or “Responsibility to the Public,” Section 10, or the “Sale, Lease, Transfer, Grant of the Usufruct or Assignment of Right of the Franchise,” Section 11 or “Dispersal of Ownership,” and Section 12 or “Reportorial Requirement.”