MANILA, Philippines — Senator Imee Marcos has formally joined Senator Robin Padilla in his bid to block the Senate panel on women’s contempt order against alleged rapist Apollo Quiboloy.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Marcos said she already talked with Padilla regarding the matter, adding that other Senate panel members are likely to join their call.
“Nagkasundo kagabi na kami na pipirma kami para ipaatras itong contempt order,” she said.
(We’ve agreed about this yesterday that we will sign against this contempt order.)
“Kasi parang hindi naman siya tama at palagay ko, sasamahan kami ng iba pa naming grupo — si Senator [Bong] Go, palagay ko, no. Senator Cynthia, ako (me)…” she went on.
(Because it seems this is not right and I believe, we will be joined by our other groups — Senator Bong Go, Senator Cynthia Villar, me.)
“Pero hindi pa kami umaabot sa kinakailangan na eight votes para ma-withdraw ang contempt order,” the senator revealed.
(But we have not reached the needed vote of eight to withdraw the contempt order.)
Asked why Quiboloy should be given the grace by some senators when he already ignored the Senate order multiple times, Marcos said there are already ongoing cases against the religious leader.
“Ayaw naman natin na kinukuyog ang mga tao. (We do not want to gang up on people.) They have rights to due process. They have a right to defend themselves against self incrimination. E bakit hindi naman kinikilala? (Why is this not being recognized?)” she asked.
“Yung ibang akusasyon ay napakatagal na. Bakit ngayon lang lumilitaw nang sabay-sabay? Baka naman may nasa likod ng lahat ng ito,” Marcos wondered.
(Some accusations have been there for a long time. Why are all of them showing up simultaneously? May there are people behind this.)
“Gusto natin siyang bigyan ng pagkakataon. At higit sa lahat, ang pagkakaintindi ko, meron na ring mga kaso na ipinila sa korte,” she said.
(We want to give him the opportunity. And most of all, what I understand, there are cases being lined up in court.)
“Kaya’t siguro huminahon tayo. Huwag naman nating inaapi ‘yung tao,” she asked her colleagues.
(So maybe let us calm down. Let us not oppress him.)
At the Senate’s Tuesday hearing, Senator Risa Hontiveros moved to cite Quiboloy for contempt and requested the issuance of an arrest warrant against the controversial sect leader.
Hontiveros’ motion was opposed by Padilla.
He, however, did not categorically state why he objected, and he did note that he talked with Hontiveros regarding the matter.
Pursuant to Senate rules, Padilla has seven days to gather majority votes within committee members in order to overrule the order.
Members of the Senate panel on women are as follows:
Senator Nancy Binay
Senator Pia Cayetano
Senator Cynthia Villar
Senator Grace Poe
Senator Imee Marcos
Senator Robin Padilla
Senator Raffy Tulfo
Senator Bong Go
Senator JV Ejercito
Senator Mark Villar
The ex-officio members are –
Senator Loren Legarda
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III
While Padilla has yet to issue a categorical statement, Senator Francis Tolentino, in a separate press conference on Wednesday, said the contempt order opposer is now in pursuit to gather enough votes.
“I think there is a group gathering necessary signatures to thwart any attempt for the issuance of a warrant of arrest,” said Tolentino.