Quiboloy arrest looms – Senator

MANILA, Philippines — Rejecting his reasons for not showing up at the Senate, Sen. Risa Hontiveros vowed to work on the order to arrest Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy.

Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate committee on women, children, family and gender equality, said she would take up the arrest with Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.

“I think the given period has lapsed, the non-extendible period of 48 hours for Quiboloy to respond to the show-cause order. So at least he has done that. So any minute now, the Senate President, as soon as I follow up on my request to him, as soon as Quiboloy’s lawyer receives this ruling of the committee, any minute then, that (arrest order) can be issued,” Hontiveros added.

The Senate committee on women is investigating Quiboloy for alleged sexual abuses on his followers, allegations that he has denied.

Hontiveros stressed that Quiboloy’s refusal to appear at the Senate is tantamount to challenging it as an institution.

“He’s really challenging, but at least the Senate will show step by step that he is not really above the law. I am not worried or anything if I have fellow senators who support them because that is the right of each of us to have our own position,” she said.

Should the arrest order be issued, Hontiveros said she has “full faith in the readiness and ability of the OSAA (Office of the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms) as the front line of the Senate’s security to do their duty again, just like they served the subpoena to Quiboloy right there at his address in Davao.”

“The assistance of the PNP, we can request that. And just like the many times before, the help of the PNP or the NBI was requested in this kind of investigation, they took the opportunity to provide it, so I still rely on their previous assistance,” Hontiveros added, referring to the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation.

Meanwhile, House of Representatives officials yesterday urged Vice President Sara Duterte and other government officials to be prudent in selecting the events they attend as this could send conflicting signals.

Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. David Suarez said at a press conference that Duterte and other high-ranking government officials should exercise caution in attending a prayer rally, for instance, as this could also become a highly charged anti-government protest.

The Vice President attended a “prayer rally” in Manila last week in support of Quiboloy, a known friend of the Duterte family.

The event, however, turned into an anti-government rally characterized by invectives and threats directed at the Marcos administration.

Suarez underscored the importance of unity and collaboration within the Marcos administration, cautioning against sending conflicting signals. — Sheila Crisostomo, Delon Porcalla