Padilla wants show cause order issued to Quiboloy, not contempt order

Senator Robin Padilla on Monday appealed to the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality to issue a show cause order to Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy instead of pushing through with the issuance of a contempt order.

The lawmaker made the appeal in a privilege speech on Monday where he also declared the need for Quiboloy to be protected.

"Bilang pangwakas po, nais ko pong ihayag sa opisyal na rekord ang ating kahilingan: ang mabigyan po ng konsiderasyon ang hiling ni Pastor laban sa contempt order ng Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, at mabigyan ng daan ang pagpapalabas po ng Show Cause Order kay Pastor sa susunod na pagdinig," Padilla said.

(In conclusion, I wish to put on record my request that Quiboloy's request against the contempt order be considered, and the show cause order be allowed in the next hearing.)

"Isa po ang ating kahilingan para kay Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. Iyon ay ang mabigyan lamang naman natin, hindi po ng kapalit, kundi ng karampatang pagtrato ang naging serbisyo naman po ni Pastor sa ating bayan," he added.

(I have one request for Quiboloy, that we give him the appropriate treatment for his service to the nation.)

Last week, Senator Risa Hontiveros, who leads the Senate investigation into the alleged sexual abuses and human trafficking involving the KOJC leader, ruled to cite Quiboloy in contempt for not appearing before the committee.

Padilla objected to the ruling and sought support from other members of the Senate committee to block the issuance of an arrest warrant against the self-styled "Appointed Son of God."

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. Padilla has until tomorrow to get enough signatures.

So far, there are four senators who have signed the written objection to the contempt order: Padilla, Imee Marcos, Cynthia Villar, and Bong Go. JV Ejercito initially signed, then withdrew his signature,

In his privilege speech, Padilla insisted that Quiboloy was not trying to dodge the allegations, but instead wants to face these in the proper forum.

"Bilang paglilinaw, hindi po niya tinatalikuran ang obligasyong sagutin ang mga paratang sa kanya. Ang nais po niya ay sagutin ito sa tamang espasyo kung saan matatamo niya ang isang patas na pagdinig at paggalang sa kanyang karapatan sa due process," he said.

(To be clear, he is not running away from his obligation to answer the charges against him. He wants to answer the charges in the proper forum where his rights to due process are respected.)

"Hindi na rin po siguro kakailanganin pa na magkaroon ng hiwalay pang pag-uusisa ang dalawang sangay ng lehislatura, sa Mataas at Malaking Kapulungan, na dagdag sa isinasagawa ng ehekutibo sa pamamagitan ng Kagawaran ng Hustisya. Masyado na pong sa palagay ko ay magastos ito," he added.

(Surely two separate inquiries by the two branches of the legislature are not necessary, in addition to the investigation carried out by the executive through the Department of Justice. I think it's already too costly.)

Further, Padilla questioned the suspension of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), saying the religious content of the television channel was affected because of a supposed violation of one news program.

"Malinaw naman pong pagsagasa ito sa ating freedom of religion and freedom of speech," he said.

(This is clearly a violation of our freedom of religion and freedom of speech.)

Earlier in the day, Padilla filed a resolution seeking to investigate the alleged "baseless" suspension of SMNI's operations.

After Padilla's speech, Hontiveros manifested that the committee will rule based on the decision of the majority.

Hontiveros also refuted Padilla's argument and cited the case of Catherine Camilon which is also being investigated by another Senate committee.

"Kahit po meron ng mga kasong tumatakbo sa Korte, 'yung iba dito, final mismo ng Executive, pero nagpatuloy at nagpapatuloy pa rin ang pagdinig dito sa lehislatura. Dahil wala pong proseso sa isang sangay ng gobyerno ay mas importante, o hindi kasing importante, sa, prosesong tumatakbo sa ibang sangay ng gobyerno," Hontiveros said.

"'Yan po ay isang esensya ng ating sistema ng checks and balances. At sa sistemang iyon ng checks and balances, well within its rights, at may rules na ating pong sinusunod, well within its rights, ang Senado ipagpatuloy ang kanyang mga proseso ayon sa kanyang mandato, ayon sa kanyang tungkulin, at ayon sa kanyang sariling rules," she added. — BM, GMA Integrated News