Quiboloy Can’t Skip Senate Inquiry Says Hontiveros
HONTIVEROS – Senator Risa Hontiveros insisted Pastor Apollo Quiboloy cannot avoid the Senate investigation.
Religious leader Apollo Quiboloy has refused to participate in the Senate inquiry concerning alleged crimes, including sexual abuse, within his Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), despite being summoned by the committee on women. Quiboloy says that only a court, rather than a Senate hearing, holds the authority to determine guilt or innocence.
In an audio statement on the Facebook page of Buhay Kingdom 2024, Quiboloy expressed his willingness to address Sen. Risa Hontiveros and her witnesses—former KOJC members accusing him of s*xual abuse and other offenses—in a court setting for a fair judgment.
Pastor Quiboloy emphasized his reluctance to undergo public humiliation in what he perceives as a “bogus hearing” with “bogus witnesses” at the Senate. He cast doubt on the credibility of the witnesses and urged them to disclose their identities to establish authenticity.
According to an Inquirer report, Risa Hontiveros insisted that Apollo Quiboloy attend the Senate inquiry into allegations of r*pe by some of his former followers, stating, “In the past, Cabinet officials, lawmakers, an incumbent Senate president, and even a former president have submitted to Senate subpoenas and appeared as witnesses…” Hontiveros emphasized that while Quiboloy’s constitutional rights, like all witnesses, will be respected, he is not above the law.
In response to Quiboloy’s repeated challenges to the panel’s authority, Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality, issued a statement. Despite previous unheeded invitations, Quiboloy has now been subpoenaed by the Senate to appear at the next hearing scheduled for March 5th.
Hontiveros extended an invitation, saying, “The Senate is open to hear your side. We are waiting for you.”
