House warns Quiboloy of consequences if he snubs hearings

Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy

MANILA, Philippines — A contempt and an arrest order awaits Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) leader and alleged sex offender Apollo Quiboloy should he skip the hearing of the lower chamber’s Committee on Legislative Franchises on March 12.

In a statement on Tuesday, House Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo, along with Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Raul Angelo “Jill” Bongalon, said the lower chamber will impose similar actions taken by the Senate during its probe on Quibiloy’s alleged crimes. 

“We do not want to preempt the decision of the committee. The committee usually invites the subject through formal invitation, and when you do not appear before us, it will issue a subpoena. If you ignore the subpoena, it insults the committee or authority,” Tulfo said in Filipino. 

“So it might happen to him again if he [Quiboloy] does not attend the hearing if he chooses to ignore the subpoena, then we will have a problem,” he added.

Likewise, Bongalon said the House panel will not hesitate to cite Quiboloy for contempt and request his arrest if he fails to attend the next hearing. 

“In my own personal understanding and personal point of view, the panel may also request for an arrest order against Pastor Quiboloy,” the lawmaker said in English and Filipino. 

Both lawmakers pointed out that this rule or principle applies to all, even Quiboloy, a religious leader.

“So again, this is a positive development and a personal call for Pastor Quiboloy that if he wants to explain his side, the committee, of course, both from the Senate and the House of Representatives, will observe the so-called due process, and we’ll give him the chance to explain his side,” Bongalon said.  

Last February 7, Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel moved that a subpoena be issued against Quiboloy amid the committee on legislative franchises’ hearing on bills and resolutions related to Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

The panel issued the subpoena after some lawmakers pointed out the need for Quiboloy’s presence to answer questions related to SMNI that only he could answer.

His subpoena was signed by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, chair of the committee of legislative and franchises Parañaque City 2nd District Rep. Gus Tambunting, and House Secretary General Reginald Velasco.