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Sen. Risa Hontiveros and KOJC leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. ABS-CBN News and Philippine Army Handout photo/File 

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Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/172907473490120240913-quiboloy-hearing-pasig-aa-6704.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Police secure Kingdom of Jesus Christ Pastor Apollo Quiboloy as arrives at the Pasig Regional Trial Court for his arraignment on Friday, September 13, 2024. ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Police secure Kingdom of Jesus Christ Pastor Apollo Quiboloy as arrives at the Pasig Regional Trial Court for his arraignment on Friday, September 13, 2024. <em>ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) -- Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder and leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy&#x27;s camp opposed Senator Risa Hontiveros&#x27; request for him to appear before the Senate Committee.</div><p>In a 27-page court filing, they argued that the intention behind summoning Quiboloy seems to be more about conducting a separate and publicized trial rather than aiding legislation.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/14/senate-panel-formally-asks-court-nod-for-quiboloy-presence-in-upcoming-probe-1237">READ: Senate panel formally asks court nod for Quiboloy presence in upcoming probe</a></div><p>&quot;While it is true that the Senate does have the power to issue subpoenas and compel the attendance of persons in legislative inquiries, said inquiry must be, to start with, in aid of legislation,&quot; it read.</p><p>&quot;The subject of the legislative inquiry must be necessary, relevant, and only for the purpose of the crafting of a law. It is not a substitute for judicial criminal trial,&quot; it added.</p><p>They pointed out that Congress has inherent limitations to compel witnesses&#x27; attendance, especially when the individual in question is already in custody and facing charges.</p><p>They argued that compelling Quiboloy to appear before the Senate for further questioning while the case is ongoing would violate judicial powers. </p><p>&quot;These matters and the incriminating questions that will certainly be asked of the Accused already and necessarily pertain to the issue of his guilt or innocence. These matters are already beyond legislative scope. Their determination, clearly judicial,&quot; it read. </p><p>Additionally, they said that Quiboloy still has a pending case before the Supreme Court En Banc, assailing the validity of the subpoenas issued by the Senate Committee, as well as the subsequent contempt and arrest orders.</p><p>&quot;Senator Hontiveros cannot bypass legal procedures by simply writing this Honorable Court to insist on the attendance of the Accused before her Senate Committee, when the validity of the ‘standing Arrest Order issued by the Senate against the Accused, upon which the Committee anchors their present request, is still at issue before the Supreme Court En Banc,&quot; it read. </p><p>Moreover, considering the circumstances of the case and Quiboloy&#x27;s public status, his team argued that the Senate inquiry could easily become a public show, potentially misused for abuse of authority.</p><p>&quot;Such Senate inquiry is susceptible to being turned into a public spectacle— a circus— and may be used as a vehicle for abuses of authority, publicity stunts, political harassment, and self-aggrandizement of public leaders,&quot; it read. </p><p>Quiboloy and his co-accused pleaded not guilty to charges of qualified human trafficking on September 13. They had surrendered to authorities more than two weeks after police raided the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Davao City to serve a warrant for his arrest.</p><p>A popular televangelist who is a close friend of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, Quiboloy founded the KOJC in 1985. Since then, KOJC has amassed millions of followers in the Philippines and abroad.</p><p>Quiboloy was charged by the United States in 2021 with sex trafficking of girls and women to work as personal assistants, who were allegedly required to have sex with him during what they said was their &quot;night duty&quot;.</p><p>Last October 8, he filed a certificate of candidacy (COC) to join next year&#x27;s senatorial race.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/8/apollo-quiboloy-files-candidacy-for-senator-1404">READ: Apollo Quiboloy, detained KOJC founder, files candidacy for senator</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sWvE_9Jlizw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Quiboloy's camp argued that the intention behind summoning him to the Senate seemed to be more about conducting a separate and publicized trial.</p>

Quiboloy's camp argued that the intention behind summoning him to the Senate seemed to be more about conducting a separate and publicized trial.

Quiboloy camp opposes bid for Senate panel appearance

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Quiboloy camp opposes bid for Senate panel appearance

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 16, 2024 06:10 PM PHT

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Updated Oct 16, 2024 06:33 PM PHT

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