Quiboloy still in Philippines, just being cautious — lawyer

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATED)</strong> — Controversial religious leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy is still in the Philippines, his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said Tuesday, adding his client is not in hiding.</p><p>Speaking on ANC, Topacio said Quiboloy &quot;is just taking precautions to ensure his safety.&quot;</p><p>Quiboloy faces a Senate inquiry into his alleged sexual abuses against Kingdom of Jesus Christ members and a House probe into alleged franchise violations of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), a media outlet associated with him.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/2/22/-flight-means-guilt-quiboloy-urged-to-face-senate-probe-1008">READ: &#x27;Flight means guilt&#x27;: Quiboloy urged to face Senate probe</a></div><p>When asked about the pastor&#x27;s unfounded claims of threats to his life and other allegations, Topacio said these were &quot;borne out by recent events,&quot; citing the suspension of SMNI&#x27;s license and the congressional hearings.</p><p>&quot;Now, there are talks of either extradition or rendition so no one should blame the good pastor if he sees an unseen hand in all of these developments,&quot; he said.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/2/21/quiboloy-claims-us-marcos-conspiracy-against-him-1247" id="isPasted">RELATED: Quiboloy claims US-Marcos conspiracy against him</a></div><p>The Department of Justice said Monday that there has been no request from the US government for Quiboloy&#x27;s extradition, which, in any case would need to pass through several layers of the bureaucracy.</p><p>Topacio did not provide or cite evidence to Quiboloy&#x27;s claims, saying &quot;clandestine operations rarely have any evidence but it can be inferred from the pattern.&quot; </p><p>&quot;If there is someone who feels defamed they are free to file charges in court,&quot; he added.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/2/26/doj-no-us-request-for-quiboloy-s-extradition-yet-1523" id="isPasted">READ: DOJ: No US request for Quiboloy&#x27;s extradition yet</a></div><div><strong>WILL QUIBOLOY ATTEND SENATE PROBE?</strong></div><p>Topacio also said in the interview that Quiboloy&#x27;s legal team will meet on Tuesday to consult the pastor about their next legal move. </p><p>He said however that there is no decision yet on his attendance at the Senate inquiry.</p><p>Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who leads the Senate probe into Quiboloy, has warned that the religious leader risks arrest if he still does not physically attend the next hearing set on March 5.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/2/22/hontiveros-warns-quiboloy-show-up-in-next-senate-hearing-or-get-arrested-1103">READ: Hontiveros warns Quiboloy: Show up in next Senate hearing or get arrested</a></div><p>Topacio meanwhile said that the law does not grant absolute power to any Senate committee to issue a subpoena. </p><p>He said there are limitations to this power of the chamber, citing Supreme Court decisions.</p><p>Topacio however said that they are not closing their doors to a &quot;meaningful dialogue&quot; with Hontiveros and members of the Senate committee.</p><p>He said they want &quot;ironclad assurances&quot; that Quiboloy&#x27;s rights &quot;will be respected.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/2/26/tolentino-reminds-senate-of-quiboloy-s-constitutional-rights-amid-summons-2008">READ: Tolentino reminds Senate of Quiboloy&#x27;s constitutional rights amid summons</a></div><p>&quot;In the past, Cabinet officials, lawmakers, an incumbent Senate President, and even a former President have submitted to Senate subpoenas and appeared as witnesses,&quot; Hontiveros said in a statement on Tueaday.</p><p>&quot;His constitutional rights, like all witnesses, are respected. Pero hindi siya mataas pa sa presidente, sa Senado, at sa batas (But he is not higher than a president or the Senate, and he is not above the law).&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p>Speaking on ANC, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said Pastor Apollo Quiboloy 'is just taking precautions to ensure his safety.'</p>

Speaking on ANC, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said Pastor Apollo Quiboloy 'is just taking precautions to ensure his safety.'