SEN. Robin Padilla yesterday said he has gained the support of four senators to block the contempt order on Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who was cited for contempt by the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality for snubbing panel hearings.
In a press conference, Padilla said the other senators who signed the manifestation to reverse the committee ruling were Senators Cynthia Villar, Joseph Victor Ejercito, Imee Marcos, and Christopher Go.
In a statement yesterday afternoon, Ejercito said he decided to withdraw his signature for the reversal of the contempt order on Quiboloy.
“After a careful review of the facts, witnesses’ testimonies, and additional information, such as the allegations of rape during the last committee hearing (on March 5), I have decided to withdraw my signature today (March 7),” Ejercito said.
Ejercito said that further consultations revealed there are “strong precedents indicating that ongoing cases can still be heard in the Senate.
As things stand now, only four committee members, including Padilla, have signed against the committee ruling.
The members of the committee are Hontiveros, as chair; Sen. Nancy Binay, vice chair; and Senators Pia Cayetano, Cynthia Villar, Grace Poe, Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla, Raffy Tulfo, Christopher Go, Joseph Victor Ejercito, and Mark Villar.
The ex-officio members are Senate president pro tempore Loren Legarda, majority leader Joel Villanueva, and minority leader Aquilino Pimentel III.
“This means that Pastor Quiboloy will get an opportunity to present his side. Rest assured that the Senate will ensure fairness throughout the proceedings,” Ejercito said.
Hontiveros cited Quiboloy in contempt in last Tuesday’s hearing after he snubbed anew the latest investigation on alleged sexual violence, large-scale human trafficking, and child abuse allegations made by his former church members.
Hontiveros later asked Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri to order the KOJC leader’s arrest
The committee has sent two invitations and a subpoena to Quiboloy but he has repeatedly ignored them, with his legal counsel saying his client has been prejudged.
Padilla opposed the contempt order on Quiboloy last Tuesday, refuting the allegations against the KOJC leader based on his personal experience.
Under the rules, members of the committee can, within seven days, either reverse or modify a ruling of the chair with a majority vote. The panel has 14 members, which means that Padilla needs to gather at least eight votes to block the arrest order on Quiboloy.
The office of Hontiveros said those opposing Quiboloy’s arrest have only until March 12 to formalize their manifestation.
Among those who refused to support Padilla were senators Grace Poe and Raffy Tulfo.
Padilla said he is trying to contact the younger Villar and Cayetano, and the ex-officio committee members, but has yet to connect with them.
Padilla said his objection to Quiboloy’s arrest was based on his belief that the KOJC leader can be best judged by a court rather than the Senate committee.
“This is not about being friends with the Pastor. There is no such thing as that…I believe that there are already cases in the DOJ (Department of Justice). We have the judiciary, we have the House, we have the Senate. It’s like a waste of government resources,” he said in Filipino.