Apollo Quiboloy (left) and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PHOTO: Official Facebook page of Bongbong Marcos/INQUIRER FILES)
Updated on February 28, 2024 at 12:24 p.m.
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday urged controversial pastor Apollo Quiboloy to address the various allegations against him in Congress and Senate.
In an ambush interview before his flight to Australia, Marcos urged Quiboloy that he should attend the hearings and present his side of the story.
READ: Quiboloy claims slay plot in anti-US, Marcos rant
“He has an opportunity in the hearings both in the House and in the Senate to say his side of the story. Kaya po sinasabi niya, ‘hindi totoo lahat ‘yan, hindi totoo’, walang nangyaring ganiyan, ‘di sabihin niya,” said Marcos in an ambush interview.
(He has an opportunity in the hearings both in the House and in the Senate to say his side of the story. If he says, ‘all of that is not true, it is not true,’ nothing will happen there, then he should say it.)
In the Senate, the self-proclaimed son of God faces allegations of sexual abuse from former members of his religious organization, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. In the House of Representatives, the Quiboloy-led Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) is being probed for allegedly violating its franchise by disseminating false information.
Quiboloy faces summons from both chambers of Congress. Senator Risa Hontiveros subpoenaed Quiboloy after he failed to show up to multiple hearings on his alleged sexual crimes.
READ: Hontiveros says Quiboloy not above the law: ‘We are waiting for you’
In the House of Representatives, lawmakers are tackling a bill revoking the franchise of Quiboloy’s SMNI due to its violations. House Speaker Martin Romualdez has also subpoenaed Quiboloy.
The self-proclaimed son of God has ignored these summons.
“Pag hindi siya sumipot baka ma-contempt siya, oh tapos, tuloy-tuloy. Ay, naku. Eh mas malaking gulo. Kung makapunta siya, sagutin niya lahat ng tanong, ‘di tapos na. That’s why my advice for him is to just face the questioning in the House and in the Senate,” said Marcos.
(If he does not show up, he might be held in contempt. Then, it will just go on. Oh my. That is a bigger problem. If he gets to come, answer all the questions, and it is done. That’s why I advise him to face the questioning in the House and Senate.)
“We’re trying to be fair here and allowing him the opportunity and fora to make his case,” said Marcos.
Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, said that Quiboloy is not above the law.
READ: Romualdez dismisses Quiboloy’s claim on connivance with foreigners
“His constitutional rights, like all witnesses, are respected. But he is not higher than the president, the Senate, and the law,” Hontiveros said
Romualdez has also told Quiboloy to face the music.
“We encourage Pastor Quiboloy to address his legal challenges through the proper legal channels and respect the legal processes in place,” said Romualdez.