Former Senate President Franklin Drilon FILE PHOTO / Senate PRIB
MANILA, Philippines — Former Senate President Franklin Drilon on Wednesday said it is high time for fugitive and self proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” Apollo Quiboloy to heed the upper chamber’s directives and cooperate with the ongoing investigation into his alleged crimes.
Drilon’s remarks came after the Supreme Court on Wednesday chose to get the Senate’s comment on Quiboloy’s petition to nullify the contempt order against him.
The high court’s decision means that the arrest order against the religious leader stands to date.
READ: SC: Arrest order vs Quiboloy stands, Senate must file comment on plea
For his part, Drilon said the Supreme Court’s move upheld the power of the Senate.
“The Supreme Court, in refusing to grant the [Temporary Restraining Order] prayed for by Quiboloy, upheld the principle of separation of powers between the equal branches of the government,” Drilon said in a statement.
With this, Drilon said Quiboloy should comply with the Senate’s directives and finally cooperate with its investigation, and testify before the chamber.
“Quiboloy should accord due respect to the ruling of the Supreme Court and the processes of the Senate, as upheld by the Supreme Court,” Drilon emphasized.
‘We are ready to answer’
In a separate statement, opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros signified her willingness to respond to the Supreme Court’s order as soon as possible.
“While we have yet to receive and read the Order, we certainly will comply with the directive of the Supreme Court, cognizant of the principle of separation of powers and with only the highest respect for our institutions,” said Hontiveros.
Hontiveros earlier pushed the Senate leadership to cite Quiboloy for contempt and eventually issue an arrest order against the controversial sect leader.
READ: Senate panel seeks arrest of Quiboloy for skipping probe of his alleged crimes
INQUIRER.net has sought Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri’s comment on the high court’s decision, but he has yet to respond as of writing.