Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito (File photo from the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)
MANILA, Philippines—Sen. JV Ejercito said he was not pressured by bashing on social media to withdraw his signature from a proposed resolution opposing the issuance of an arrest order for Apollo Quiboloy, the controversial preacher who refused to attend Senate hearings on allegations of sex trafficking and other crimes committed against his followers.
“I did not withdraw because of bashing. I am very used to that. It’s a matter of doing the right thing,” Ejercito said in an online interview.
Ejercito previously supported Sen. Robin Padilla’s bid to trash the contempt citation and arrest order issued by the Senate panel on women against Quiboloy, leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ group who is also wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation for women trafficking and other criminal cases.
READ: Ejercito withdraws objection to Quiboloy arrest order
READ: Hontiveros bares stories of abuse of women, kids under Quiboloy organization
Ejercito said he withdrew his signature from the Padilla resolution “after careful review of the facts, witness testimonies, and additional information.”
“There is nothing wrong with that if you correct yourself if you change your decision,” he said in Filipino.
“We are all humans. Public perception is secondary. What’s important is doing the right thing,” he said.
‘We know each other’
In the same interview, Ejercito was prodded to reveal if Quiboloy had given him favors in past elections.
The senator said the “most favor” that the preacher did was to receive him “warmly a few times.”
“I didn’t borrow a helicopter or anything like that, but maybe the biggest favor is the mere fact that he received us warmly a few times,” Ejercito said in Filipino.
“Of course, during [the] campaign, you’re trying to get a lot of votes, and of course, we go to different organizations, so I admit that I was able to go to the prayer mountain a couple of times,” he said, referring to Quiboloy’s posh headquarters in Davao City.
“Maybe twice or thrice — I don’t deny that we know each other. He didn’t do anything wrong to me either, but I think he just has to face the music and hopefully air his side,” Ejercito said.
Quiboloy’s alleged crimes are being investigated by the Senate panel on women headed by Sen. Risa Hontiveros.
In December 2023, Hontiveros revealed that some former KJC members sought her office’s help after Quiboloy abused them for years.