Quiboloy still undecided about attending congressional probe – lawyer

FILE PHOTO: Apollo Quiboloy has not decided yet if he will appear in the congressional probe and comply with the subpoenas, his legal counsel says on Thursday, February 29, 2024. | PHOTO: Official website of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy

MANILA, Philippines — Televangelist and alleged sex offender Apollo Quiboloy has not decided yet if he will appear in the congressional probe and comply with the subpoenas, his legal counsel said Thursday.

Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, however, said the legal options he offered are already being “considered seriously” by his client.

“Wala pa naman pong pagpapasya si Pastor Quiboloy sapagka’t kaming mga abogado po ay maaari lang kaming maglahad ng legal options … ‘yung kliyente naman namin ang nagdedesisyon,” Topacio said in an interview over Radyo 630.

(Pastor Quiboloy has not decided yet because we lawyers can only present legal options… it is our client who decides.)

READ: Marcos presses Quiboloy to face House, Senate over allegations

“All pieces of advice are being considered seriously by Pastor Quiboloy, and we shall expect a decision shortly regarding dito sa bagay na ito (this matter),” he added.

Nevertheless, Topacio said that Quiboloy’s camp is already coordinating with the Senate and House of Representatives regarding their respective summons for the self-declared “Appointed Son of God” to attend congressional public hearings.

The Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality has been holding inquiries into the alleged crimes of Quiboloy and his sect Kingdom of Jesus Chrsit (KJC). The House committee on legislative franchises, on other hand, has been probing the alleged violations of the Quoboloy-linked Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

“All lines of communications are open,” Topacio added.

Aside from the congressional investigations, Quiboloy is also facing several criminal charges in the United States, including conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud; coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash Smuggling.

He has been on the “most wanted” list of the FBI.

The sect leader earlier claimed he was in hiding because there was allegedly a plot to kill him.

The Philippine National Police, however, already said it had not intercepted any information indicating threats to the life of Quiboloy.