Padilla: Don’t force Quiboloy to testify once DOJ starts proceedings

Sen. Robin Padilla airs his objection to an order of contempt against Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Carreon Quiboloy by the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (Kyle Venturillo/Senate PRIB)

MANILA,  Philippines — Senator Robin Padilla has asked the Senate committee on women to “refrain from compelling any testimony” from Pastor Apollo Quiboloy once the Department of Justice (DOJ) starts legal proceedings against him.

The request was contained in a letter dated  March 11, 2024 addressed to Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate committee on women.

Hontiveros committee is investigating the alleged human rights abuses, including rape, being hurled at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) leader.

Padilla noted in the letter that on March 4, the DOJ already directed the filing of criminal cases against Quiboloy.

“In the event that legal proceedings are initiated, this representation trusts that the Committee will take into consideration the principles outlined in the Bengzon ruling and refrain from compelling any testimony from Pastor Quiboloy, as such action may inadvertently influence the judicial process,” he then said in the letter.

A copy of the letter was just released to the media on Wednesday.

In the 1991 case Bengzon vs the Senate blue ribbon committee, Padilla said,  the ruling recognized the power of Congress to investigate into areas “which it may potentially legislate or appropriate.”

The same ruling, however, states that Congress “cannot inquire into matters which are within the exclusive province of one of the other branches of the government,” he pointed out.

In a separate letter also dated March 11, Padilla appealed to the committee to “hold in abeyance” the contempt order issued by the panel against Quiboloy during its hearing last March 5.

Instead, he requested the panel to issue a show-cause order against the pastor.

In an interview with the Senate, President Juan Miguel Zubiri agreed that the chamber must first exhaust all legal remedies, citing a previous Supreme Court ruling.

He later signed a show-cause order to Quiboloy,  a copy of which was released to the media on Tuesday night.

Hontiveros cited Quiboloy for contempt and requested Zubiri to arrest the KJC leader for refusing to attend the investigation.