Apollo Quiboloy
Sen. Risa Hontiveros called on Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Thursday to approve her request to subpoena Apollo Quiboloy, founder and leader of the Davao City-based Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), who has repeatedly snubbed an ongoing hearing into allegations that he abused some of his followers.
During the Kapihan sa Senado forum, Hontiveros said she sent Zubiri a letter dated Feb. 6, asking him to approve the issuance of a subpoena against the self-proclaimed 鈥淎ppointed Son of God.鈥�
鈥淎s to why it hasn鈥檛 been signed until now, I really can鈥檛 explain it. You better ask the Senate President himself,鈥� she told reporters, adding that those who testified against the religious leader in a previous hearing had received threats.
The senator鈥檚 committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality has been investigating Quiboloy and other KJOC leaders who are being accused of human trafficking, sexual and physical abuse, and child sexual exploitation.
鈥淔or the information of the Senate President, Mr. Quiboloy has failed to honor the invitation of the committee in its hearing on Jan. 23, 2024, and the Senate has, under your leadership and the leadership of past Senate Presidents, consistently issued subpoenas against resource persons who fail, without justifiable reason, to attend its inquiries,鈥� Hontiveros said in her letter to Zubiri.
鈥淭o further update you, in the days and weeks after the hearing, my office is in receipt of credible evidence of threats on the lives of our first two witnesses and potential witnesses,鈥� she added.
During the Jan. 23 hearing, three former members of Quiboloy鈥檚 religious sect, including two Ukrainian women, accused him of repeatedly raping them over several years.Addressing gaps in laws
According to Hontiveros, her committee remains committed to identifying gaps in existing laws that enable large-scale human trafficking and individuals or groups to justify their abuses.
Zubiri has yet to respond to reporters鈥� request for comment.
鈥淸T]he signing of the subpoena by the Senate President is usually just ministerial 鈥� as of today, he hasn鈥檛 signed it yet,鈥� Hontiveros said as she also clarified that she did not consider his nonaction an 鈥渙bstruction of justice.鈥�
鈥淏ut it鈥檚 something that I and my committee have been waiting for. And I would even say that the victim-survivors have been waiting for it, too,鈥� she stressed.
鈥淏ut I鈥檓 very patient 鈥� I will wait for it. And while waiting, my committee will continue with the proceedings. I鈥檓 hoping that a subpoena will be signed before our investigation is done,鈥� Hontiveros said. The next hearing is set on Monday.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very important,鈥� she replied when asked how important it was for the subpoena to be signed by the Senate chief himself.鈥淎ny committee chair knows 鈥� based on our regular process and rules, when an important witness ignores an invitation of any Senate committee, the next step or instrument in our hands is the subpoena,鈥� Hontiveros said.
An arrest order, according to her, cannot be issued without a subpoena.