Senate issues show cause order vs Quiboloy for snub of its probe

Kingdom of Jesus Christ Pasto Apollo Quiboloy (File photo from the Official X account of Apollo Quiboloy)

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate has issued a show cause order against Apollo Quiboloy, directing the religious leader and alleged rapist to explain why he should not be arrested and detained in the Senate for failing to attend its investigations.

A quick look at the document shared to the media on Tuesday night showed that the order was signed by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senate panel on women chair Risa Hontiveros.

It, however, was dated March 13, 2024 as it will be served to Quiboloy on Wednesday.

The order specifically directs Quiboloy to “show cause” — within 48 hours from his receipt of the order — why his arrest should not be ordered, despite skipping the Senate probe on his alleged multiple crimes.

Quiboloy snubbed the Senate panel on women’s invitations for hearings set on January 23, February 19, and March 5 — dismissing the authority of the chamber and “merely sending his counsel to appear on his behalf without justifiable reason.”

“You are hereby ordered to show cause within a non-extendible period of 48 hours from receipt of this Order why you should not be ordered arrested and detained at the Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms,” the order reads.

The order states that Quiboloy’s continued non-attendance delayed, impeded, and obstructed the Senate panel’s inquiry on the reported cases of large-scale human trafficking, rape, sexual abuse, violence and child abuse of the Kingdom Jesus Christ, which he heads.

“[For this reason,] the Committee, upon motion of the Chairman duly seconded by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, has cited Pastor Apollo Quiboloy [for] contempt,” it added.

Apart from citing Quiboloy for contempt, Hontiveros asked the Senate leadership to issue a warrant of arrest.

The opposition senator’s bid was blocked by Senator Robin Padilla who previously rallied for 8 majority votes to overturn Hontiveros’ ruling.

Pursuant to the Senate rules, Padilla has seven days to gather necessary votes to completely trash Hontiveros’ move.

He, however, failed to gain the necessary support in the upper chamber to completely stop the ruling against Quiboloy.

The Senate opted to issue a show-cause order against Quiboloy instead of the earlier requested contempt ruling and warrant of arrest.

Zubiri said if the panel is still unsatisfied with the explanation, then it is just “ministerial on the part of the Senate” to issue an arrest order against Quiboloy.