‘Ignored’ House threatens Quiboloy with arrest, contempt

Apollo Quiboloy —PHOTO FROM THE OFFICIAL PAGE OF SEN. BONG GO

The House of Representatives is ready to take strong action against televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, including charging him with contempt or ordering his arrest if he ignores its latest subpoena against him.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, 1-Rider Rep. Rodge Gutierrez said the House committee on legislative franchises was “ready to cite him (Quiboloy) in contempt and seek his subsequent arrest if he is absent in the next hearing” scheduled on March 12.

On Monday, the House revealed that it had issued a summons against Quiboloy, who is also wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation over sex trafficking charges, to answer questions about his role in Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

READ: Senate, House issue subpoenas to Quiboloy

The committee chaired by Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting, is currently taking up a bill authored by Gutierrez seeking to revoke SMNI’s legislative franchise after the broadcast channel aired allegations that House Speaker Martin Romualdez supposedly spent more than a billion pesos on travel expenses. In previous hearings, SMNI officials maintained that Quiboloy was not the head of the network, despite documents showing that he used to lead the media company. He has disregarded at least three invitations to appear before the committee.

Gutierrez said the committee was not satisfied with the answers of SMNI representatives—which was why “it was important that Pastor Quiboloy himself answer them.”

PBA party list Rep. Migs Nograles echoed his sentiment, saying: “It’s only right that Pastor (Quiboloy) come and answer the questions. This is in relation to him and his own personal knowledge … This is a matter of due process.”

Last recourse

Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong also stressed that the House “does not take the issuance of subpoenas lightly.”

“We only issue subpoenas if there is a deliberate dismissal or rejection or ignoring of the invitation of the [House of Representatives],” he said.

“That’s the last recourse and his presence is very, very vital in the ongoing committee hearings so we could better see the bigger picture when it comes to discussions on the alleged violations of SMNI,” he added.

The Senate has also issued a subpoena against Quiboloy, this time in his capacity as founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, over allegations that he abused some of his followers.

These allegations are similar to those currently being investigated by the FBI, which accused him of taking part in a “labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the United States, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders.” INQ