Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio delivers a message in this file photo taken on December 30, 2018 at Rizal Park in Davao City. KING RODRIGUEZ / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday showed up at a rally in Liwasang Bonifacio in support of embattled Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy.
“I am here to support Pastor Apollo Quiboloy,” Duterte said in Filipino over Sonshine Media Network International’s (SMNI) exclusive ambush interview, reiterating that the religious leader is undergoing what she called “trial by publicity.”
Duterte also slammed the recent hearings of cases against Quiboloy which she also deemed slanderous.
“Mga hearing na walang pinupuntahan, mga witnesses kuno na nagkukubli kung sino ang totoong identity nila, at one sided siya: lahat atake, lahat paninira kay Pastor Apollo Quiboloy,” she also said of the congressional hearings on cases against the pastor.
(All they do are hearings that go nowhere, with witnesses who are hiding their true identity, and it is one-sided: nothing but attacks and slander against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.)
READ: Senate issues show cause order vs Quiboloy for snub of its probe
On Monday, the Senate issued a show cause order against Quiboloy for failing to attend its investigations on his alleged sex crimes.
The House of Representatives on Monday also cited Quiboloy for contempt over refusing to attend the House of Representatives committee on legislative franchises hearing on the SMNI issue over possible violations of its franchise.
A house panel later approved a bill that seeks to revoke the franchise given to SMNI.
Duterte slammed the government for what she deemed to be “oppressive” acts against SMNI.
“Nandito din ako para makiisa sa [laban] sa pandarahas, pang-aapi sa SMNI,” she said.
(I am also here to stand against the violence and oppression against SMNI).
“Clearly, it is a violation of freedom of media.”
Former President Rodrigo Duterte, along with other senators, also attended the rally.
In 2022, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation had put out “Wanted” posters of Quiboloy “for his alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the United States via fraudulently obtained visas and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders.”
According to the FBI poster, Quiboloy had been facing various charges in the US, such as conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.