Bid to block Senate contempt order vs Quiboloy fizzles out

Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo C. Quiboloy

MANILA, Philippines— Senator Robinhood Padilla’s bid to stop the contempt order and possible arrest  of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy failed to get the necessary support in the Senate.

 “Nakakalungkot po na umabot lamang po sa 5 ang senador na pumirma,” he said in a  Viber message on Tuesday.

(It’s sad that only 5 senators signed.)

 Aside from him, Padilla said those who signed the written objection to the contempt order against Quiboloy were Senators Imee Marcos, Christopher “Bong” Go, Mark Villar and Cynthia Villar.

Padilla needed the signatures of the majority or eight members of the Senate committee on women to reverse the ruling of its head, Senator Risa Hontiveros.

Hontiveros cited Quiboloy for contempt last week and requested Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri to order the arrest of the religious leader for refusing to face the panel’s probe against the allegations against him.

Quiboloy has been accused of rape, sexual abuse, violence and child abuse, among others.

But Padilla objected to  Hontiveros’ move.

Under the Senate rules, the ruling by a panel head could be reversed or modified by the majority of its members within 7 days.

This deadline to reverse Hontiveros’ order lapsed this Tuesday.

“Tapos na po ang deadline kaya po kahapon ako po ay nag privilege speech patungkol sa due process at show-cause order,” Padilla said.

(The deadline has passed that’s why yesterday I delivered a privilege speech about due process and show-cause order.)

Zubiri has already issued a show-cause order to Quiboloy asking him why he should not be ordered arrested and detained at the Senate’s Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms.  

If the committee is not still satisfied with the explanation, then Zubiri said it is just “ministerial on the part of the Senate” to issue an arrest order against Quiboloy.