MANILA – Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy may challenge the arrest order issued by the Senate before the Supreme Court, one of his legal counsels said.
According to Atty. Elvis Balayan, bringing Senate’s arrest order before the high court is an option as they could interpret the constitutional limitations on the power of Congress to conduct investigations.
“Yes, that’s part of the process allowed under existing laws and there’s a very big possibility that we will elevate the matter before the appropriate courts. It could be before the Supreme Court,” Balayan said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel on Wednesday.
“We respect the decision of the Senate to issue an arrest order against Pastor Quiboloy, but we will exert all available legal remedies to protect his constitutional rights,” he added.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Tuesday signed the arrest and detention order against Quiboloy for his refusal to attend the inquiry into his alleged human trafficking and sexual abuse crimes.
Balayan further said that the inquiry being conducted by the Senate committee on women of Sen. Risa Hontiveros was “acting like a court” and had deemed his client guilty.
“The pastor cannot be duped into appearing in a trial by publicity. The Senate is not the dispenser of justice in this country. Only the courts can declare the guilt or innocence of Pastor Quiboloy,” Balayan said.
QUIBOLOY, 5 OTHERS FACE CRIMINAL RAPS
Meanwhile, Quiboloy along with five others are facing criminal charges for alleged involvement in sexual abuse and qualified human trafficking of a then 17-year-old female in 2011.
Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Quiboloy, along with Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid C. Canada, and Sylvia Cemane, were charged with separate cases before a Pasig City and Davao City regional trial courts.
In a case filed before a Pasig court, Quiboloy and his co-accused are accused Qualified Human Trafficking charges under Section 4 (a) of Republic Act No. 9208. No bail was recommended for this case.
Meanwhile, the respondents were charged under Section 5(b) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act before a Davao court.
“The Department of Justice is dedicated to the enforcement of our laws and the protection of our children from exploitation and abuse,” DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a statement on Tuesday night.
“This case underscores our commitment to hold accountable those who would harm our society’s most vulnerable. Let this serve as a reminder that no individual, regardless of their position, is above the law,” he added./PN
