MANILA – The House of Representatives’ contempt order against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy is to be served to him today, according to Surigao del Sur’s Rep. Johnny Pimentel.
Pimentel, the vice chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, said the House Sergeant at Arms will be ordered to take Quiboloy into custody when the contempt citation takes effect on Monday.
Pimentel moved to cite Quiboloy in contempt during the committee’s hearing on Tuesday on Swara Sug Media Corporation’s alleged violations of its franchise to operate Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).
“Sa amin po na hearing (sa House of Representatives), tatlong beses namin inimbitahan si Pastor Apollo Quiboloy but, unfortunately, hindi siya nagpakita,” Pimentel said in an interview with Teleradyo Serbisyo on Saturday.
“During the last hearing, we were constrained, rather, the committee was constrained to issue a contempt order with a corresponding punishment to put him in our custody,” he added.
Meanwhile, House secretary Reginald Velasco said that Quiboloy will have a “pleasant” stay in the chamber’s detention facility, which is located in a one-story building opposite the South Gate Guard House of the Batasan Pambansa Complex.
According to Velasco, their detention facility fully air conditioned with a his and hers toilet, accessible to the relatives of the person, and to the media if necessary, and beddings and a bed will be provided.
However, showering will have to be done with a pail, the facility is not bulletproof, but tightly secured by the House Security and police, as well as a CCTV system.
“(The media) can monitor their stay and hopefully they will enjoy their stay here. We promise them a pleasant experience,” Velasco said. “Meals will be provided but detainees can order delivery and visitors can bring food, subject to inspection.”
“Any detainee would be screened upon arrival and subjected to medical examination before he or she is informed of the rules. Visiting hours is at 9 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. daily, except Sunday,” he added.
Quiboloy faces a separate Senate probe into his alleged sexual abuse of the KOJC members. The Senate is also mulling to issue a separate contempt order against him this week./PN
