Senator Nancy Binay (File photo from Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Nancy Binay sided with a Senate panel’s decision to require Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s attendance in its ongoing probe against him.
Binay is vice chairperson of the Senate committee on women, which is investigating the alleged human rights abuses, including rape, being hurled at Quiboloy and his Kingdom of Jesus Christ sect.
Panel head Senator Risa Hontiveros has requested Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri to order the arrest of Quiboloy following the latter’s refusal to attend the probe.
Binay said she respects the decision of Hontiveros. She cited a tradition in the Senate where committee members “yield to the wisdom of the chairperson.”
“Kasi, di ba, parang hindi rin naman kasi katanggap-tanggap na hindi natin nire-require na mag-attend yung isang resource (person), ang isang imbitado sa Senado, di ba?” she told reporters on Tuesday when asked if she signed a written objection to the contempt order and possible arrest of Quiboloy.
(Because isn’t it also unacceptable that we don’t require a resource person, an invitee to the Senate, to attend?)
“More than that, parang mawawalan yung power ng Senado na mag-invite ng resource persons,” the senator explained.
(More than that, it seems like the Senate will lose its power to invite resource persons.)
But Senator Robin Padilla, during last week’s hearing, objected to Hontiveros’ request to arrest Quiboloy.
The Senate rules allow the majority members of the committee to reverse or modify the contempt order within 7 days.
In this case, Padilla has until this Tuesday to get eight signatures to reverse Hontiveros’ order.
Only four senators have, so far, signed the written objection — Padilla, Senators Christopher “Bong” Go, Cynthia Villar and Imee Marcos.
Binay, meanwhile, said she is also open to the idea of allowing Quiboloy to virtually attend the investigation.
“Basta ang sa akin lang, kailangan mag-appear sya dun sa committee, whether virtual or physically present,” she stressed.
(He needs to appear before the committee, whether virtually or physically present.)