4 senators oppose arrest warrant vs. Quiboloy — Padilla

Senator Robin Padilla has gathered the support of at least three senators who are members of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality in blocking the Senate's issuance of a contempt order against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy.

In a press conference, Padilla said he and Senators Cynthia Villar, Imee Marcos, Bong Go, and JV Ejercito have signed a written manifestation objecting to the Senate's arrest of Quiboloy. With this, Padilla has garnered five of the eight signatures needed to block the issuance of an arrest warrant against the KOJC leader.

Hours after the press conference, however, Ejercito announced that he was withdrawing his support for Padilla's move "after thoughtful contemplation" and in consideration of the "serious allegations of rape" leveled against Quiboloy.

With this, Padilla needs four more signatures to block the issuance of an arrest warrant against the KOJC leader.

Padilla also disclosed that he talked to Senators Grace Poe and Raffy Tulfo who explained their decision not to support his move to block Quiboloy's arrest.

Other members of the committee that have yet to make a stand on the issue are Senators Nancy Binay, Pia Cayetano, Mark Villar, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, and Majority Leader Joel Villanueva.

During the continuation of the Senate panel's investigation on the alleged human trafficking and sexual abuses involving the KOJC, Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday cited Quiboloy in contempt after the religious leader repeatedly ignored the subpoena issued by the Senate as he invoked his right to due process.

Minutes after the Senate panel decided on Quiboloy's arrest, Padilla raised his objection to the ruling.

Under Section 18 of the Rules of Procedures Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation, "a majority of all the members may... reverse or modify the aforesaid order of contempt within seven days."

The Senate committee has 14 members, which means Padilla would need to get the support of eight senators to block the issuance of the arrest warrant. As of posting time, Padilla has five days left to gather more signatures.

Padilla explained his decision to oppose Quiboloy's arrest, saying that this matter is already in the hands of the Department of Justice.

He also expressed his opposition to investigations in aid of legislation that involves religion. Hontiveros had earlier emphasized that the probe is not centered on KOJC, but on the abuses committed "under the cover of a religious organization.”

"Sa Constitution natin meron talagang paghihiwalay ng estado at religion. Dito sa nakikita ko, pagka nagpatuloy sa ganitong proseso parang sinasaklawan na natin, magkakaroon ba tayo ng panukala na sasagasaan natin ang religion?" Padilla said.

(The Constitution declares the separation of church and state. If we continue with this kind of investigation, it seems like we are crafting laws that will affect a religion.)

Padilla also echoed Quiboloy's assertion that the proper venue to discuss these allegations are in the courts.

"Para sa akin deserve niya ang aking suporta na mapunta siya sa korte, sa judiciary. Hindi ako naniniwalang in aid of legislation. Makakagawa tayo ng mga bill ngayon na maapektuhan ang KOJC," he said.

(For me, he deserves to face these allegations before a court. I don't believe that this investigation is in aid of legislation. We might craft laws that might affect the KOJC.)

'Hero'

Padilla also said that Quiboloy doesn't deserve to be arrested because the KOJC leader once fought the New People's Army (NPA).

"Si Pastor kasi nilabanan niya ang NPA...Hindi deserve para sa mga mata ko na ang isang taong tingin kong bayani sa pakikipaglaban niya sa komunista na naging kasama ko, e ganitong klase papayagan ko maiskandalo? Nasaan ang utang na loob natin sa serbisyo ng taong ito na inalay niya sa paglaban sa komunista?" he said.

(Pastor has fought the NPA. For me, a hero who fought the communists doesn't deserve to be dragged into this kind of scandal.)

Asked how Quiboloy helped in fighting the NPA, Padilla said the KOJC leader allowed the airing of an anti-communist film and the government data in its fight against communist insurgency on his television channel.

"Di mo mapanood sa ibang channel mapapanood mo sa SMNI...Napakahalaga noon. Sa usapin ng paglalathala na ginawa ng gobyerno na maganda. Napakahalaga noon," he said.

(You cannot see that in other television channels, only on SMNI. Informing the people of the government's efforts to fight the communists is very important.)

Supporter, friend

Padilla was also asked if he had received any help from Quiboloy during the 2022 national and local elections where he emerged as the senatorial candidate who received the most number of votes.

The actor-turned-lawmaker admitted that he was given free airtime on Quiboloy's television channel and a helicopter was lent to him, but he said he did not receive any campaign contribution from the KOJC leader.

According to Villar, her decision was rooted in her decade-long friendship with the KOJC leader.

"Kaibigan ko si Pastor Quiboloy. Mabait siya sa aming pamilya...Matagal ko na siya kilala. Parang 'di naman siya 'yung gagawa ng ganon. Kami ni Imee pareho namin siyang kilala. As well 'yung mga Mindanaoan. Maayos naman siya... nakakahiya naman na ako pahuhuli ko siya. Diyos ko. You don't do that to a friend," she said.

(Pastor Quiboloy is my friend. He is very kind to my family. I have known him for a long time and I think he cannot commit those allegations that were raised against him. Imee and I both know him. He is a decent man. It would be a shame if I support his arrest. You don't do that to a friend.)

Villar disclosed that she has been invited in KOJC's events and during Quiboloy's birthday, but she clarified that she is not seeking the latter's help during elections.

"'Di ko na siya kailangan sa election kasi kaibigan ko siya. I don't worry about him during elections. Napunta ko sa kanya pag birthday niya at saka may affair ang church, not during election," she said.

(I don't need him during the elections because he is my friend. I don't worry about him during elections. I go to his birthday parties and his church's affairs, not during the election.)

"Hindi nahingi ng pera 'yan... As a religious leader ko siya kilala. Hindi political, hindi sa business," she added.

(He never asked for money. I know him as a religious leader, not a political figure nor a businessman.)

Villar confirmed to reporters that she has already signed the document that raises objection to Quiboloy's arrest.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday announced that qualified human trafficking and child abuse cases would be filed against Quiboloy.

Remulla said the Department of Justice (DOJ) has granted a petition of review, directing the Office of the City Prosecutor of Davao City to file a case against Quiboloy for sexual abuse of a minor in 2011, in violation of Republic Act 7610 or the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.”

Meanwhile, the qualified trafficking case will be filed in a Pasig City court. — VDV/RF, GMA Integrated News