ROBIN SEEKS CONSIDERATION FOR PASTOR QUIBOLOY AMID CONTEMPT ORDER

SENATOR Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla on Monday formally sought consideration for Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy regarding the contempt order he faces before the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.

In his privilege speech, Padilla also sought to allow the Show Cause Order on Quiboloy in the committee’s next hearing, citing Quiboloy’s safety as well as his contributions to society.

“Bilang pangwakas po, nais ko pong ihayag sa opisyal na irekord ang ating kahilingan: Ang mabigyan po ng konsiderasyon ang hiling ni Pastor laban sa contempt order ng Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, at mabigyan ng daan ang pagpapalabas po ng Show Cause Order kay Pastor sa susunod na pagdinig,” he said.

Padilla pointed out that Quiboloy contributed greatly to the fight against the threat of the New People’s Army (NPA) through his media outlet Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

He added there are now threats to Quiboloy’s personal safety, which he said is why Quiboloy must be careful when in public. This is aside from the United States’ plan to file charges against him, he added.

“Isa po ang ating kahilingan para kay Pastor Apollo Quiboloy – iyon ay ang mabigyan lamang naman natin, hindi po ng kapalit, kundi ng karampatang pagtrato ang naging serbisyo naman po ni Pastor sa ating bayan,” said Padilla.

“Bilang paglilinaw, hindi po niya tinatalikuran ang obligasyong sagutin ang mga paratang sa kanya. Ang nais po niya ay sagutin ito sa tamang espasyo kung saan matatamo niya ang isang patas na pagdinig at paggalang sa kanyang karapatan sa due process,” he added.

Padilla noted Quiboloy fought the NPA threat by allowing SMNI to air Padilla’s movie “Memoirs of a Teenage Rebel” to deter the recruitment of youths to the NPA.

Because of SMNI’s support, he said many rebels returned to the fold of the law. He added SMNI supported the whole-of-government approach aginst the insurgency.

Aside from this, he said only SMNI aired his documentary “Isang Linggong Pag-Ibig,” about the plight of fishermen in the West Philippine Sea.

Most importantly, Padilla said the accusations against Quiboloy are now with the Department of Justice, which will file charges in court if needed.

Because of this, he said there is no need for Congress to hold hearings because it is the judiciary that will determine one’s guilt or innocence; and congressional hearings would entail taxpayers’ money.

Padilla questioned as well the shutdown of SMNI due to the alleged violation of one program, saying other programs such as religious shows were affected.

“Malinaw naman pong pagsagasa ito sa ating freedom of religion and freedom of speech,” the senator said.