Risa Hontiveros and Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy (Photos from —RICHARD A. REYES from the Official Page of Senator Bong Go)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday dared Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to come out of hiding and face the Senate.
Authorities now already consider the leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) a fugitive after they failed to locate him following the issuance of a warrant of arrest against him by a Davao court.
Quiboloy and five others have been charged for allegedly violating Republic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
“Pastor Quiboloy, lumabas ka na sa lungga mo. Tutal nagpapa interview ka na rin sa mga vlogger, aba, magpainterview ka na rin sa amin sa Senado,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
(Pastor Quiboloy, come out of your hiding. Since you’re already giving interviews to vloggers, you should also give us an interview in the Senate.)
“Hindi naman naitago ng mga audio file na yan ang takot mo matapos umalingasaw ang katotohanan,” she added.
(Those audio files could not hide your fear now that the truth is out.)
Hontiveros was referring to Quiboloy’s latest remarks made through an audio recording posted on the YouTube channel of his Sonshine Media Network International.
In the said audio recording, the fugitive pastor said he would rather die than be caught alive by authorities.
He also said that he would only surrender if the government made a written guarantee that American authorities would not meddle in the cases filed against him.
The KJC leader has been on the most wanted list of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, sex trafficking of children, and bulk cash smuggling.
Quiboloy, meanwhile, continued to hit Hontiveros for leading what he branded as “bogus hearings” of the Senate committee on women on alleged abuses committed against former KJC members.
But, the senator countered Quiboloy’s allegation.
“Wala kang katiting na ebidensya laban sa aming mga matatapang na witnesses. At wala kang karapatang siraan ang institusyon ng Senado at ang mandato nito,” Hontiveros said.
(You have no shred of evidence against our brave witnesses. And you have no right to tarnish the institution of the Senate and its mandate.)
“Kung totoong matapang ka, ulitin mo lahat ng sinabi mo tungkol sa Senado, dito sa Senado. Make your words part of the record. Record your shameless audacity in history.”
(If you’re really brave, repeat everything you’ve said about the Senate, here in the Senate. Make your words part of the record. Record your shameless audacity in history.)
“Patunayan mong ganyan pa rin kabastos ang mga salita mo kapag kaharap mo na kaming mga Senador. Hindi ka namin uurungan,” she added.
(Prove that your words remain just as disrespectful when you face us. We won’t back down.)
With or without Quiboloy, Hontiveros said the Senate probe would push through.
On her committee’s recommendation, the Senate has ordered the arrest and detention of Quiboloy for his repeated failure to attend the panel’s probe.