Court orders preservation of Quiboloy bank accounts, assets, aircraft

A Makati court has ordered the preservation of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy's assets in favor of the government. 

The 12-page Asset Preservation Order issued by the Makati Regional Trial Court-Branch 147 covers 12 bank accounts, 37 real properties, and 25 vehicles including two firetrucks, a fuel tanker, and a Cessna aircraft under Quiboloy's name and that of the Executive Pastor of the KOJC (TEP-KOJC).

The court found probable cause to issue a preservation order against Quiboloy's and TEP-KOJC bank accounts and properties.

"Unless restrained, there could be an imminent certainty that the subject monetary instruments and properties will be removed, transferred, concealed or disposed of beyond the reach of law wherein a favorable judgment in this case may be ineffectual and rendering the efforts of petitioner futile," the court said.

The tribunal also said that although Quiboloy and KOJC presented witnesses that attested to the tithes and love offerings that they would receive, they were not able to provide substantial proof to support this. 

"It has not been properly established that respondent TEP-KOJC has an independent and legitimate source of income," the court said.

The assets will now be under the court's jurisdiction.

An Asset Preservation Order (APO) is issued "forbidding any transaction, transfer, removal, conversion, concealment or other disposition of the properties."

The court stressed that "an APO is a provisional remedy aimed at preserving monetary instruments or properties in any way related to an unlawful activity or money laundering offense defined herein, during the pendency of civil forfeiture proceedings.”

"It is preparatory to a civil forfeiture; and not tantamount to or equivalent to the actual forfeiture of the identified monetary instruments," the court added.

Quiboloy is facing charges of committing conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, sex trafficking of children, and bulk cash smuggling. — VDV, GMA Integrated News