Pastor Apollo Quiboloy during the crowning ceremony and conferment of Patron of the Royal Institution of Singapore status in Davao city, an event attended by former President Gloria Arroyo. (File photo from Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy’s Facebook page)
MANILA, Philippines — A “pleasant” detention center awaits religious leader and alleged rapist Apollo Quiboloy, as the House of Representatives plans to release the arrest order against him next week, according to House Secretary General Reginald Velasco.
“Yes, it [arrest order] will be ready by tomorrow. So, it can be served by next week,” Velasco said in a press conference.
“Well, the chairman of the franchise committee will sign it, and any authorized House official can sign it. So, it’s either the Speaker or me who can sign the warrant of arrest. So, pending pa yun. That’s why we will release it probably Monday or Tuesday,” he added.
The House official also said Quiboloy and other incoming detainees will have a fine time in the Senate.
READ: House cites Quiboloy for contempt for snub of hearings
“We promise them a pleasant experience […] These rooms are air-conditioned and accessible to the relatives of the person in detention and to the media whenever necessary. You can monitor their stay, and hopefully, they will enjoy it here,” Velasco disclosed.
On March 12, Quiboloy was cited for contempt for opting to skip the chamber’s committee on legislative franchises’ hearing on the ownership of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).
Before this, Quiboloy’s representative, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, claimed that they had already provided enough legal justification for Quiboloy’s absence.
He maintained the sect leader was not the best person to answer questions about SMNI’s ownership.
Aside from this, the Senate issued a show cause order against the religious leader and alleged rapist to explain why he should not be arrested and detained after failing to attend the hearings on his alleged crimes.
On March 5, the Senate issued a show-cause order against Quiboloy, instead of an arrest warrant.