Senate Presses Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to Attend October 23 Hearing
APOLLO QUIBOLOY – The Senate will continue its investigation into Apollo Quiboloy on October 23, according to Sen. Risa Hontiveros.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros declared that the Senate will reopen its probe into Pastor Apollo Quiboloy on October 23 and hoped that the victims will face their alleged abuser, who is accused of s*xual misconduct on several counts.
With Quiboloy currently detained on suspicion of child sexual assault and human trafficking, Hontiveros clarified that the investigation is returning after a seven-month hiatus. “The survivors will have the opportunity to confront their former leader and seek justice,” she disclosed at a press conference.
As chair of the Senate committee on women and children, Hontiveros confirmed plans to request the Pasig regional trial court to compel Quiboloy to attend the Senate hearings, which he had previously evaded while in hiding.
“We are ready for him to face the committee even if he refuses to answer our questions. The victim-survivors are more than ready to confront their abuser,” she said.
Earlier testimonies from the victims revealed that Quiboloy had sexually abused them and forced them to raise funds for him under the guise of religious devotion.
READ ALSO: Apollo Quiboloy’s Lawyer Says Pastor will be the Senator for Poor, Ordinary Filipinos, Workers
According to the report, Hontiveros also commended Marissa Duenas, an official of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) in California, for entering a plea deal in a U.S. marriage fraud conspiracy case.
“The plea deal by Marissa Duenas – a reported long-trusted administrator of the KOJC – with US authorities is a significant step towards securing accountability for Quiboloy’s disturbingly long list of crimes here and abroad, which includes sexual abuse of minors, qualified human trafficking, child abuse and others,” Hontiveros said.
She urged Duenas to testify against Quiboloy regarding the alleged crimes in the U.S., where Quiboloy remains on the FBI’s most-wanted list.
Hontiveros further expressed hope that Duenas would cooperate in the ongoing Senate investigation into Quiboloy’s abuses and encouraged the Department of Justice to provide legal support to any individuals willing to help bring justice to the numerous women, children, and others affected by Quiboloy’s actions.