Pasig court denies Quiboloy’s request to attend TV interview

A Pasig court has denied the request of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy to attend a live television interview in relation to his filing of a certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator in the upcoming elections.

In a three-page order, the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 159 noted the risks associated with any public statements that will be made by Quiboloy during the interview, saying any pronouncement may influence public perception on the ongoing proceedings.

“As a note, while this Court recognizes the right of accused Quiboloy to seek public office and to engage in lawful campaign activities, this right is not absolute and remains subject to regulation by the court,” it said.

“After all, accused Quiboloy is not restricted to the live media interview as his sole means of campaigning and sharing his platform with the public,” it added.

GMA News Online sought comment from Quiboloy’s camp but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

Pasig court denies motion filed by the camp of KOJC founder Apollo Quiboloy to allow him to participate in a live TV interview as a senatorial aspirant@gmanews @gmanewsbreaking pic.twitter.com/i8mRQfHkqk

— Joahna Lei Casilao (@joahnacasilao) January 14, 2025

In his motion, Quiboloy asked the court to allow him to attend a live interview organized by the ABS-CBN News Channel on January 14.

The court, however, said the motion was not accompanied by the supposed formal invitation from the TV network regarding the interview.

It said this impeded the court from setting up appropriate parameters. 

“Thus, for failure of accused Quiboloy to substantiate his prayer in the motion, and to safeguard the fairness of the trial and maintain the confidentiality of the proceedings, the Court exercises its discretion in not allowing accused Quiboloy to participate in the supposed live interview,” the court said.

The order is dated January 13, 2025. 

Quiboloy is currently facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, before the Pasig court.

He is also facing charges under Section 5(b) and  Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.

Quiboloy has pleaded not guilty to both cases.

Meanwhile, the camp of complainant Amanda slammed the camp of Quiboloy for “appealing to pity” for saying that religious leader attended the hearing even though he was coughing badly.

Private prosecutor Joeie Domingo said they did not hear Quiboloy cough even once.

“In fact, pinalabas pa sa courtroom yung sinasabi niyang physician niya kasi confidential 'yung hearing. Mula 8:30 hanggang 3:30 ng hapon, ni minsan hindi umubo si Quiboloy. His lawyer is a liar, apparently for saying this,” she told GMA News Online.

(In fact, the physician was told to go out of the room because the hearing is confidential. From 8:30 to 3:30 in the afternoon, Quiboloy did not cough even once. His lawyer is a liar, apparently for saying this.)

“Appeal to pity 'yang kasinungalingan ng lawyer niya. But there's no pity available to a human trafficker,” she added.

(He is appealing to pity. But there’s no pity available to a human trafficker.)

When sought for comment, Atty. Israelito Torreon, Quiboloy’s legal counsel, said Domingo’s remarks are “below the belt” and “irresponsible.”  

He said Amanda’s camp may not have noticed as they were focused on her testimony.

“[I]t may have her/his attention entirely focused upon the testimony of her/his client that she/he was not able to see or observe the condition of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy during the hearing,” Torreon said.

He also stressed that it has not yet been determined whether his client is a human trafficker. —AOL, GMA Integrated News