We should respect Quiboloy’s rights, says Tolentino

Sen. Francis “Tol” N. Tolentino FILE PHOTO / Bibo Nueva España / Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — Fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy has the rights that must be respected, Senator Francis Tolentino said on  Monday.

Tolentino, a lawyer, said this as law enforcers continue their manhunt for Quiboloy  following the issuance of a warrant of arrest  against him by a Davao court.

The senator believes the court should now  have custody  over  the  fugitive  leader of the  Kingdom of Jesus Chris (KJC).

“I think we defer to the courts kasi mayrong mga husgado na  involved  na ngayon,” Tolentino said in a press briefing in the Senate when asked who should have custody of the KJC leader.

(I think we defer to the courts because there are judges involved now.)

Cases have been filed against Quiboro before the Davao City Regional  Trial Court Branch 12 for violating  Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law and and  for non-bailable human trafficking at a Pasig City court.Trafficking, abuse raps filed vs Quiboloy in Pasig, Davao

“So nagpapakita  ito na mas may ngipin ngayon yung  husgado kasi usaping legal na it. But  that  does not diminish the power of the Senate to enforce and serve the warrant,” he pointed out.

(So this shows that the court has more teeth now because it’s a legal matter. But that does not diminish the power of the Senate to enforce and serve the warrant)

It was the Senate that first ordered the arrest and detention of  the self-proclaimed son of God for his repeated failure to face the committee on women’s  own probe  on allegations hurled at him.

According to Tolentino, the Senate may also file a case in court  against Quiboloy  “for disobedience” to summons issued the chamber’s panel.

“Ang sa akin dito,  siguro igalang yung  karapatan ni pastor kung pwede syang  mag file ng… bailable kasi to e. So magpyansa, mag-file  ng  bail  at gamitin niya, eexercise niya yung karapatan niya,” he went on.

(My point here is that we should respect the rights of the pastor, if he can file… because this is bailable. So he can post bail and exercise his rights.)

On the arrest  order by the Davao court,  Tolentino  pointed out that there  is a process to quash the  issuance of the warrant of arrest.

But he said he would leave this  legal matter to  the lawyers of the  KJC leader.

“Hayaan na natin yung  mga abogado  nyan ang gumawa nyan. I would not meddle in what his legal team is doing right now. I’m sure they’re planning to do something,” the senator said.

(Let’s leave it to his lawyers to handle that. I would not meddle in what his legal team is doing right now. I’m sure they’re planning to do something.)