Marcos to decide on Quiboloy extradition request 'in a couple of weeks' — Palace

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is expected to make an announcement soon regarding the request of the United States for the extradition of religious leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro said Monday.

Castro said this in a Palace briefing when asked for the President’s reaction when he heard about the US’ request to extradite Quiboloy over sex trafficking and racketeering charges he is facing there.

“We spoke to the President a while ago and he said that we really need to study this carefully. But in a couple of weeks they will announce what the decision will be,” Castro told reporters in Filipino.

Malacañang earlier said that the US’ request should be evaluated and resolved in due time for the sake of justice.

According to Castro, the Philippines has two options regarding the matter.

“Nasa agreement po ‘yan, nasa treaty natin with the US at kasama po ito sa provision. Kaya meron tayong dalawang options---either manatili dito si Pastor Quiboloy habang dinidinig ang kaso dito sa Pilipinas, pero pwede na temporarily ma-hold, ma-suspend ang kaso at magkaroon ng extradition at maipadala si Pastor Quiboloy sa US,” she explained.

(That’s in the agreement, in our treaty with the US and it is included in the provision. So we have two options---either Pastor Quiboloy stays here while the case is heard here in the Philippines; or the case is temporarily put on hold or suspended and there will be an extradition and Pastor Quiboloy will be sent to the US.)

Asked where Marcos is leaning on between the two options, Castro said that she cannot answer the matter.

“Of course, I can’t say, because the President said he will announce his stance on this matter in a couple of weeks,” she said.

“Lahat naman ‘to ay dapat na dumaan sa proseso dahil may batas naman po tayo. Magde-decide po sila. Ibibigay niya po kung ano ‘yung dapat na gawin patungkol dito,” she added.

(All of these have to go through the proper process because we have laws in place. They will make the decision. The President will announce the appropriate course of action regarding this.)

Quiboloy was arrested in the Philippines in September 2024 on charges of violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.

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

Quiboloy, who pleaded not guilty shortly after his arrest, is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail. — RSJ, GMA News