Senator: Quiboloy arraignment a big step to absolute justice

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

FILE: Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy (in black Agila cap) presented to the media in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Monday (Sept. 9, 2024). (PNA Photo by Joan Bondoc)

MANILA – The arraignment of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy is a big step to serving justice to his alleged victims, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said Friday.

“Karapat-dapat managot sa batas si Apollo Quiboloy (It is only right for Apollo Quiboloy to face the law). He and his co-accused have caused unspeakable pain to women, children, and the most vulnerable,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

“Ang pagpapaharap sa kanila sa hukuman ay isang malaking hakbang tungo sa ganap na hustisya (Bringing them to the court is a big step towards absolute justice),” she added.

Quiboloy and his co-accused aides, Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Ingrid Canada, and Sylvia Cemañes, were brought Friday morning to the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 159 for their arraignment on human trafficking cases.

They entered a not guilty plea.

Hontiveros, in an earlier statement, said the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality that she chairs, is finalizing the schedule of the next public hearing on the alleged abuses in KOJC.

Once the date is set, she will seek the court’s permission to allow Quiboloy to attend in compliance with the Senate’s standing warrant against him.

The senator is expecting more witnesses to testify against Quiboloy during the next hearing.