MANILA, Philippines — Former President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte’s efforts defending suspected sex trafficker Apollo Quiboloy could’ve been redirected to help Filipinos in need, said Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference, Hontiveros admitted that she was wondering why the ex-chief executive and his daughter are making an effort to defend a man who is wanted by the authorities for serious offenses.
Both Dutertes attended the pro-Quiboloy rally staged in Liwasang Bonifacio on Tuesday. Hontiveros, however, maintained that this move would not hamper the ongoing probe into Quiboloy’s alleged crimes.
“Hindi po makakaapekto kahit pa ang pag-appear doon ni Duterte at ni VP. Lalong magtataka ang mga tao siguro. Ako nagtataka – bakit nag-effort pa silang dalawa na dumepensa sa isang tao na akusado sa mga napakaseryoso at mabibigat na offenses laban sa mga pinaka-bulnerable sa ating lipunan?” said Hontiveros.
(Even the appearance of Duterte and the VP will not affect it. People will probably be more surprised. Even I wondered – why are they both making an effort to defend a person accused of very serious and heavy offenses against the most vulnerable in our society?)
READ: VP Sara attends pro-Quiboloy rally, slams those oppressing SMNI
The opposition senator was pertaining to the children who were supposedly forced to beg for money, overseas Filipinos who were deprived of their own remittances, and the women who were allegedly raped and exploited by the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God.”
“Sana ‘yung effort nilang dalawa ay ibinuhos na lang sa wakas pag-depensa sa ating mga mangingisda at mga kasundaluhan at coast guard laban sa pambubully [ng] Tsina,” said Hontiveros.
(I wish their efforts were instead poured into bolstering the defense of our fishermen and soldiers and coast guard against China’s continuous bullying.)
INQUIRER.net has sought Vice President Duterte’s comment on the matter, but she has yet to reply as of press time.
Former President Duterte’s team — specifically his then legal counsel Salvador Panelo and former spokesperson Harry Roque – has also not yet replied to INQUIRER.net’s request for comment on this matter.