FILE PHOTO: The Supreme Court grants the Department of Justice’s request to transfer the sexual abuse case against Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy from a court in Davao City to Quezon City. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA CITY, Philippines — The Supreme Court granted the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) request to transfer the sexual abuse case against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy from a court in Davao City to Quezon City.
Quiboloy and several others are charged with violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law, specifically the provision on sexual abuse of minors and maltreatment. They are also facing a case for qualified human trafficking before a Pasig City court.
The DOJ wanted the transfer of the case’s trial for the protection of the victims, their relatives, and the witnesses
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The SC says in its administrative order issued Tuesday, May 28, that it “found compelling reasons to justify the transfer of venue as the cases involve public interests, with the accused, a well-known religious leader, being influential in the area.”
“As this could cause local biases and a strong possibility that witnesses cannot freely testify due to fear and influence of the accused, the Court found it prudent and judicious to order the transfer of the cases to Quezon City,” the hight court also says.
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The SC gave the Branch Clerk of Court of Davao Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 12 three days from receipt of notice to forward all records of the case to the executive judge of Quezon City.
It likewise ordered the executive judge of Quezon City to raffle the case upon receipt of the records from Davao and to decide the case with dispatch.
The SC further directed the judges in Davao City and in other stations in Mindanao where future cases involving Quiboloy will be filed to transmit the records of the case to the Queon City court.