PASIG trial court Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa of Branch 159 has allowed pastor Apollo Quiboloy and five other members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) religious group to attend the hearing today of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality which is looking into complaints of KOJC members against the televangelist.
In a 3-page order dated October 21, Montesa granted the October 14 request of Sen. Risa Hontiveros that Quiboloy and his co-accused be allowed to attend the inquiry.
Quiboloy and his four companions are facing a non-bailable qualified trafficking in person charge before the Pasig RTC. A separate case of child abuse is also pending against them before a Quezon City trial court.
Quiboloy has opposed Hontiveros’ request for his appearance in the inquiry, invoking among others his right against self-incrimination and presumption of innocence.
He has also argued that the matters that the Hontiveros panel is investigating is already justiciable issues which are the subject of court proceedings, thus, compelling him to appear before the Senate hearing for separate questioning while the cases are ongoing is a legislative overreach.
His co-accused adopted his plea.
The Pasig court dismissed their objections.
“Wherefore, viewed from the foregoing, the letter-request to allow the appearance of the accused before the public hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality on October 23, 2024 at 10 a.m. is hereby granted,” the court said.
“The Jail Warden of the Pasig City Jail, BJMP, Nagpayong Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City and the chief of the PNP Custodial Center, Camp Crame Quezon City are hereby directed to bring and escort accused Apollo Quiboloy, Jackielyn Wong Roy, Cresente Chavez Canada alias Enteng, Ingrid Chavez Canada, Paulene Chavez Canada and Sylvia Calleja Cemanes to the Senate Hall, Senate of the Philippines, Pasay City, and observe maximum security measures to ensure the safety and security of all the accused,” the court order read.
Montesa said the court thoroughly evaluated the opposition filed by Quiboloy’s camp for him and the others to be physically present during the hearing, invoking among others, “arguments on the power of Congress to compel the attendance of witnesses versus the constitutional rights of the person already in custody of law…”
The Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 106 said since the Pasig City RTC Branch 159 allowed Quiboloy and the others to attend the Senate hearing today, “I would like to inform you that replying to your letter has been rendered moot and academic as the Pasig Regional Trail Court already granted your request.”
