Risa: Uphold justice by allowing Quiboloy's temporary surrender to US

Senator Risa Hontiveros said Friday the Philippines "has a clear legal basis" to temporarily surrender Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy to the United States, which has requested his extradition.

Citing Article 11, Paragraph 1 of the PH-US Extradition Treaty, Hontiveros said that even if Quiboloy has other charges in Philippine courts, he may still be temporarily turned over to the US to face his charges there then returned to the Philippines after the trial. 

Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate committee that led the investigation into the alleged abuses in the KOJC, also stressed that Quiboloy supposedly has victims in the US who "have waited too long for justice."

"Hindi rin tama na patagalin pa ang kanilang laban (It's not right to prolong their agony). If we continue to delay, we are denying them their right to be heard," Hontiveros said in a statement. 

"By allowing temporary surrender, we uphold justice on both sides. Nakakasiguro ang Pilipinas na hindi mawawala ang ating mga kaso, at natutulungan din natin ang mga biktima sa Amerika," she added.

(The Philippines can be assured that Quiboloy's cases here will not disappear, and through this, we can also help the victims in America.) 

The US is reportedly seeking the extradition of Quiboloy, who is wanted in the US for several charges, including child sex trafficking, engaging in sex with minors, fraud, and money laundering. Documents supporting such were said to be transmitted to the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) in June this year. 

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez had confirmed the information. He said US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson and Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla are expected to meet next week to discuss the matter.

Calls to proceed

Meanwhile, Akbayan Partylist Rep. Perci Cendaña urged the Philippine government, particularly the DOJ, to immediately begin the process for Quiboloy's extradition, including requesting the local courts to resolve the pending charges against him.

"Quiboloy must be made to answer the serious charges of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and abuse of minors. These heinous crimes are not mere acts of misconduct — they expose the breadth of Quiboloy's power and influence, which he continues to wield even today," Cendaña said. 

"By every account, Quiboloy is a pedophile who weaponized his authority to prey on the vulnerable. The U.S. indictments echo these accounts and together present a chilling portrait of how he twisted faith and power to commit unspeakable crimes," he added. 

The legal team of Quiboloy on Thursday called on the Marcos administration to let Philippine courts decide on his criminal case before rendering a decision on the United States' request for his extradition.

In the Philippines, Quiboloy is facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act 9208, as amended, with the Pasig court.

The Davao City-based religious leader 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 with a Quezon City court.

In July, the Pasig Regional Trial Court-Branch 159 denied petitions for bail by Quiboloy and his co-accused in relation to his case for qualified trafficking for sexual abuse and labor exploitation. — VDV, GMA Integrated News