House probe into US extradition request for Quiboloy launched

The House Committee on Justice will probe the United States’ extradition request for detained church leader Apollo Quiboloy to address any insufficiencies and ambiguities in the process.

It was House justice panel vice chairperson and Bukidnon Representative Jonathan Flores who put forward the motion to conduct the probe, a motion seconded by House justice panel members.

House Committee on Justice chairperson and Batangas Representative Gerville Luistro said the inquiry will address the loopholes in current extradition laws such as the 1994 extradition treaty between the US and  the Philippines and the Philippine Extradition Law enacted way back in 1977. 

“There are questions whose answers could not be found in both laws,” Luistro said.

Quiboloy, who is listed as one of the most wanted individuals by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation over alleged conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling, is also facing criminal charges in the Philippines.

Quiboloy’s criminal charges in the Philippines include:

• violation of Section 5(b) and  Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and
• a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/919741/kojc-leader-apollo-quiboloy-caught-abalos-says/story/

“This is not about prejudging anyone’s guilt. It is about upholding the rule of law, honoring our treaty commitments, and ensuring that victims see swift, fair, and transparent action,”  Luistro said after the reorganization meeting of the House justice committee on Tuesday, August 26.

Ahead of the said organizational meeting, House Deputy Minority Leader Akbayan Party-list Representative Perci Cendaña asked the House Committee on Justice to probe the extradition request, citing public interest.

"It is imperative that Congress, through your Committee, provide a forum where concerned agencies may clarify the status of the present request, explain the legal and procedural steps involved, and identify any gaps or ambiguities in our existing laws and treaties," Cendaña stated in his letter, read by Luistro during the panel's organizational meeting Tuesday. 

Also on Tuesday, Luistro said the House inquiry on the US’ extradition request will clarify the following:

• whether an extradition process may be initiated by a foreign country when the extraditee has pending cases as well in the Philippines;
• what the timeline is between the request by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) [and] the transmittal the Department of Justice (DOJ)  and
• what the timeline is between the receipt by the DOJ [and] the filing of the petition for extradition with the proper regional trial court.

Further, Luistro said there is a need to clarify which court should acquire jurisdiction over the request for extradition: the court which has jurisdiction over the local cases or the court where the extraditee is a resident of as mentioned in the treaty or PD 1069.

“Our message is simple: no one is above the law. We will ask the DOJ and DFA to walk the public through the precise legal options—temporary or deferred surrender—and the concrete timeline so justice is neither delayed nor denied,” she said, referring to the Department of Justice and Department of Foreign Affairs.

“This inquiry will not only help ensure transparency, fairness, and adherence to our international obligations, but also allow Congress to determine whether remedial or supplemental legislation is necessary to strengthen the country's extradition framework,” Cendaña added.

Cendaña earlier warned that Quiboloy’s continued influence poses risks to witnesses and investigations on pending cases against him. 

He cited the recent Senate probe led by the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality under Senator Risa Hontiveros, which revealed harrowing testimonies of coercion and abuse.

“Even in detention, Quiboloy continues to wield huge political and religious power in our country. His inordinate access and influence within our country’s political establishment undermine investigations and endanger witnesses. For years, he concealed his crimes by silencing and intimidating victims. It is clear that true justice will evade his victims should he continue to remain in the Philippines,” Cendaña said.

“The hearings led by the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality brought to light disturbing testimonies that confirm long-standing allegations of coercion, abuse, and exploitation within Quiboloy’s organization, but these revelations show only a fraction of his depravity. By every account, Quiboloy is a pedophile who weaponized his authority to prey on the vulnerable. The US indictments echo these accounts and together present a chilling portrait of how he twisted faith and power to commit unspeakable crimes,” Cendaña added. — BM, GMA Integrated News