GABRIELA party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas yesterday pressed President Marcos Jr. to have pastor Apollo Quiboloy investigated after the United States Treasury sanctioned him for human rights abuse, “including a pattern of systemic and pervasive rape of girls as young as 11 years old, as well as other physical abuse.”
“Such developments should compel the Marcos Jr. administration to conduct an exhaustive investigation on Pastor Quiboloy’s offenses and financial transactions and enable victims to come forward through a witness protection program,” said Brosas.
“The Department of Justice (DOJ) cannot just wait for the US’ extradition request. Our local agencies have to take steps to put a halt to the possible continuation of sex trafficking and abuse of women and children by Quiboloy. They can’t just wait and see,” she stressed.
The women’s party-list lawmaker said the National Security Council (NSC) and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) can initiate their separate investigations against Quiboloy, especially with the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act or RA 11862 in place.
“The Philippine Army, for one, should review and terminate its media partnership with Quiboloy’s media arm Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) signed last October 24. We cannot let an indicted sex offender and fake news peddler broaden his mass media reach using taxpayer’s money,” Brosas said.
She expressed concern that the self-styled pastor “has been continuing his wide array of offenses beyond what was confirmed by Washington, especially as Quiboloy enjoyed special protection from the Duterte regime.”
“It is ironic that the government is celebrating the 18 days of activism campaign but is silent in the case of Quiboloy,” she added.
Justice spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano said the DOJ is still gathering information and seeking advice from US legal experts on what should be the government’s next legal step in reaction to the US Treasury Department decision.
“The Department of Justice of the Philippines acknowledges that the US Treasury Department issued these sanctions on their Human Rights Day and International Corruption Day. We would like to express our unity in their cause in the protection of Human Rights and in the eradication of corrupt practices,” Clavano said in a statement Sunday.
“However, the DOJ has yet to discuss the ins and outs of the sanctions on Mr. Quiboloy. It is simply too premature for us to speak on the issue. Allow us to gather verified information and seek US legal experts’ advice. Then we can act accordingly,” he added.
In a press release issued on Saturday, the US Treasury Department sanctioned Quiboloy over alleged corruption and human rights abuses under the Magnitsky Act.
It said that Quiboloy supposedly engaged in “serious human rights abuses, including a pattern of systemic and pervasive rape of minors as young as 11 years old, and other physical abuse.”
Aside from freezing the US-based assets of Quiboloy, if any, the pastor is also prohibited from entering any US territory and accepting donations for his benefit.
The Treasury Department also reiterated that the televangelist remains on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s most wanted list for fraud, coercion, sex trafficking and other cases.
To recall, Quiboloy was also indicted in 2020 for rape, trafficking in persons, sexual abuse, physical abuse and child abuse but the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office junked the cases. A petition for review is pending at the DOJ.
Later Saturday, Quiboloy’s lawyers downplayed the allegations against the pastor and said it was baseless and that the US government violated his right to due process when the press release from the Treasury Department made it appear as if he was already guilty.
Apart from being a close friend of former President Rodrigo Duterte, Quiboloy also endorsed President Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte during the May 9, 2022 elections. — WIth Ashzel Hachero
