Quiboloy camp receives Senate subpoena

The subpoena issued by the Senate against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founding leader Apollo Quiboloy has been formally served.

A photo shared with reporters by the Office of Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday showed the subpoena was officially received by KOJC counsel Atty. Marie Dinah Tolentino on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.

The subpoena ad testificandum was prepared on February 14 and was signed by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on February 19, Hontiveros' office earlier said.

The subpoena was issued after Quiboloy skipped the hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, which is probing the alleged abuses being linked to KOJC.

Quiboloy earlier said he would not submit himself to the Senate inquiry and would only face the allegations against him before the courts.

Hontiveros has warned Quiboloy that he will be arrested if he fails to attend the next Senate hearing.

In a voice message posted on social media earlier this week, Quiboloy accused the United States government, with the help from Philippine officials, of plotting to eliminate him.

The controversial religious leader is facing various cases in the US, including trafficking and bulk cash smuggling.

The House of Representatives has also issued a subpoena against Quiboloy, directing him to appear before the congressional inquiry into the call to revoke the franchise of Swara Sug Media Corporation, which operates Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI). 

'He should not hide'

Meanwhile, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian advised Quiboloy to face the Senate inquiry.

“He should not hide. Nakita ko sa kaniyang YouTube statement na nagtatago. ‘Pag nagtago ang isang tao, sign of guilt ‘yan eh. The best way is to respect the process, pumunta siya, sagutin ang mga tanong,” he said.

(He should not hide. I saw in his YouTube statement that he is hiding. Hiding is a sign of guilt. The best way is to respect the process, attend the hearings, and answer questions.)

“’Yan din ay isang oportunidad para sa kaniya na i-clear 'yung kaniyang pangalan at mapaliwanag niya ang katotohanan… Hindi lang naman ito side ng accusers but side nya rin para masagot niya ang inaakusa sa kaniya,” he added.

(This is an opportunity for him to clear his name and air his side of the story. Hearings are not meant for accusers to say their side but also for the accused.) —with Sundy Locus/KBK/VBL, GMA Integrated News