ARREST QUIBOLOY — SENATE

admin March 20, 2024

THE Senate on Tuesday has ordered the arrest of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy for his continued refusal to appear before the inquiry of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality chaired by Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros.

The Senate panel is investigating the reported human trafficking, rape, sexual abuse and violence, and child abuse in the KOJC.

Quiboloy failed to appear before the committee hearings set on January 23, February 19 and March 5, 2024.

The Senate’s Office of Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) was given the green light to arrest Quiboloy after Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri signed the order on Tuesday.

“The Sergeant-at-Arms is hereby directed to carry out and implement this order and make return hereof within 24 hours from its enforcement,” the order said.

“Upon the motion of the undersigned Chairperson, and seconded by Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, 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 Sergeant-at-Arms until such time that he will appear and testify in the Committee, or otherwise purges himself of that contempt,” the Order read.

Quiboloy, through his legal representative Melanio Balayan, earlier argued a number of legal justifications for why the religious leader should not be arrested, saying the committee’s investigation is “incriminatory” and already assumes guilt on the part of the embattled preacher.

But Hontiveros clarified that the Senate inquiry into Quiboloy’s alleged crimes is in aid of legislation touching on laws that concern human trafficking, sexual exploitation and money laundering.

Hontiveros also said the panel is seeking Quiboloy’s arrest not to his alleged crimes but for his refusal to attend the Senate hearings despite being summoned.

Meanwhile, the Senate President clarified that if Quiboloy appears during the next hearing and purges himself of contempt, there will be no need to order his arrest.