Solon explains need to hold Quiboloy in contempt

Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo C. Quiboloy (Screengrab from SMNI News Youtube channel)

MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives Deputy Speaker David Suarez has maintained that the contempt order against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy is necessary because letting him pass may set a dangerous precedent for future proceedings.

At the hearing of the House committee on legislative franchises on Tuesday, Suarez explained that future resource persons may just disregard congressional invites if they yield to the requests of Quiboloy’s legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio.

Topacio maintained that they have provided enough legal justification as to why Quiboloy does not need to attend the hearings, as he is not the best person to answer questions about Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) ownership issues.

“I think we’re treading on very dangerous waters because this will be setting a precedent to future hearings that will happen in the House.  If we allow this, therefore, anytime in the future, when a resource person does not feel the need to present himself, they’d say that ‘I would just send a spokesperson, submit your questions first, then I’ll review it’,” Suarez said.

“That’s a very dangerous precedent to set, Mr. Chair, because once we allow that, therefore all committees will allow that.  Therefore all committees will allow resource persons not to present themselves.  Therefore all committees will allow advanced questions to be forwarded to resource persons before coming to the committee,” he added.

According to the Deputy Speaker, it will destroy the “very nature and essence of having committee hearings”, which is to find out the truth regarding issues.

Eventually — acting on Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel’s motion — the committee unanimously decided to cite Quiboloy for contempt.

It was also Pimentel who moved, last February 7, that a subpoena be issued against Quiboloy, after Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas complained that the KJC leader had been absent several times.

Brosas wanted to ask questions about SMNI ownership, as many lawmakers believe Quiboloy had something to do with it.  Brosas based her claims on Quiboloy allegedly receiving preferential treatment from SMNI hosts, supposedly indicating that the pastor was involved with SMNI.

SMNI lawyer Mark Tolentino said thanking Quiboloy was the prerogative of the hosts, and it was part of their free speech.

Quiboloy’s reason

Suarez also asked Topacio as to why Quiboloy insists on skipping the House hearings, to which the lawyer said that the pastor fears that his rights may be abused.

The Deputy Speaker however noted that Quiboloy was already anticipating something that has not yet happened.

“Can I just ask why does the good pastor refuse to come?” Suarez asked Topacio.

“To be candid your honor to this committee, he is apprehensive that his rights may not be respected because of the frenzy surrounding the investigation, your Honor.  And besides your Honor, he said that if they ask me and I do not know, there are other people who know about the information, then it might be futile for me to appear before the committee,” Topacio replied.

SMNI was initially probed by the House after Laban Kasama ang Bayan host Jeffrey Celiz wrongly claimed that Romualdez spent P1.8 billion for trips in 2023.

House Secretary General Reginald Velasco clarified that the total travel cost for all House members and their staff from January 2023 to October 2023 was only P39.6 million.