DOJ still reviewing US request to extradite Quiboloy

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is still reviewing the United States’ request to extradite Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy, with authorities examining whether the request meets requirements under Philippine law, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Palace press officer Claire Castro said the DOJ is still assessing the documents submitted by the United States in support of the extradition request.

“Sa ngayon, ang DOJ ay kasalukuyan pa pong binubusisi, inaaral, ina-assess ang bulto-bultong dokumento na naipasa sa kanila,” Castro said.

(At present, the DOJ is still scrutinizing, studying and assessing the bulk of documents submitted to it.)

She said the volume of documents has contributed to the length of the review.

Castro said the DOJ is particularly examining two matters.

First, authorities need to establish whether the person named in the US extradition request is indeed Quiboloy.

“Ang isa sa pag-aaral po nila ay kung yung identity mismo ng nire-request for extradition ay mismong si Pastor Quiboloy,” she said.

(One of the matters they are studying is whether the identity of the person being requested for extradition is indeed Pastor Quiboloy.)

The DOJ is also examining the principle of double criminality, or whether the offenses for which Quiboloy is wanted in the United States are also punishable under Philippine law.

“Pangalawa, kung merong double criminality, kung ang mga kasong kanyang kahaharapin sa U.S. ay maituturing din na kaso na ating pinapenalize dito sa ating bansa,” Castro said.

(Second, whether there is double criminality—whether the charges he would face in the US can also be considered offenses punishable in our country.)

Castro said the DOJ is aware that a decision needs to be made promptly but has yet to give a definite timetable.

“So medyo makapal lang daw po at bulto ang mga dokumentong kanilang binabasa sa ngayon,” she said.

(The documents they are reviewing are simply very numerous and voluminous at the moment.)

She said the Palace would await the DOJ’s assessment before making any further determination on the request. —VAL, GMA News