Lawmaker questions VP Sara for defending Quiboloy amid accusations

Vice President Sara Duterte (left) and televangelist Apollo Quiboloy. Photo from Inday Sara Duterte’s Facebook page

Vice President Sara Duterte must learn to differentiate her roles as a Cabinet member and as a personal friend of controversial preacher Apollo Quiboloy, especially in light of the criminal accusations against him, a ranking lawmaker warned on Thursday.

During a press conference, House Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin said Duterte ought to separate her official responsibilities as the country’s second highest official and her personal associations even if she has “political desires in the future.”

Garin is referring to speculations that Duterte might run in the 2028 presidential elections and might be hoping to tap Quiboloy in her future campaign, particularly since her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, has become administrator of Quiboloy’s estate.

READ: Hontiveros: Why are Dutertes defending wanted man Quiboloy? 

“Being the vice president and being a member of the Cabinet vis-a-vis being a friend or a possible benefactor of Pastor (Quiboloy)—I believe those things should be separate,” Garin said.

The Iloilo lawmaker is not the first one to urge prudence from Duterte, who was present at a recent “prayer rally” initially in support of Quiboloy, which subsequently evolved into an anti-Marcos demonstration.

Threat of citation and arrest

Quiboloy is under threat of contempt citation and arrest for refusing to appear in congressional investigations into allegations of human trafficking and sexual abuse of minors, plus questions on the franchise of the Sonshine Media Network International.

The network is on the verge of losing its congressional franchise due to serious violations, including disseminating fake news, engaging in Red-tagging, and committing corporate offenses.

Garin noted that Duterte was present at the rally when she was designated acting president and government caretaker by Mr. Marcos, who had gone on an official trip to Germany.

Even so, House lawmakers stopped short of asking Duterte to resign her post as education secretary, saying she could stay as long as she had the President’s confidence.

Last Wednesday, House committee on Muslim affairs chair and Lanao del Norte Rep. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo said he “wished to believe that her purpose is to at least neutralize the former president’s (rhetoric) because she is still his Cabinet secretary.”