News Roundup 15 March 2024
Mar 15, 2024 • 4 min Read
Hontiveros urges Senate to issue warrant of arrest for Quiboloy | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Risa Hotiveros, chair of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, has called for the Senate to issue a warrant of arrest against doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy following his response to the show-cause order.
This came after Quiboloy’s camp, through his lawyer Melanio Balayan, submitted his response to the summons on Friday, arguing that the preacher’s appearance at the Senate probe would violate his constitutional rights.
On March 13, Hontiveros, issued a show-cause order, directing Quiboloy to explain within a non-extendable 48-hour period why he should not be arrested and detained at the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms.
The show-cause order was issued due to Quiboloy’s repeated failure to appear at the Senate probe concerning alleged abuses associated with him and his church, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).
The panel has issued three invitations to the doomsday preacher dated January 23, February 19 and March 5.
Full Story at: Hontiveros urges Senate to issue warrant of arrest for Quiboloy | Philstar.com
‘Quiboloy in highlands, seeking divine guidance’ | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Pastor Apollo Quiboloy is holed up in the highlands of Davao, praying for “divine guidance” while continuing to run his Kingdom of Jesus Christ ministry, according to one of his legal counsels.
Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said he and other members of a legal team met with the embattled pastor in Davao last Wednesday to discuss Quiboloy’s “options” in dealing with his possible arrest for contempt on orders of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Also discussed was the ongoing move by the House to revoke the legislative franchise of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), which Quiboloy says he no longer owns.
Topacio clarified to “Storycon” on Cignal TV’s One News yesterday that Quiboloy continues to run the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. The arrangement for former president Rodrigo Duterte to serve as administrator of the KOJC estate is “based on a contingency,” Topacio said, meaning it will kick in only if Quiboloy is unable to run the vast properties.
As estate administrator, among Duterte’s tasks will be to preserve and protect the properties from freeze orders, expropriations or forfeiture efforts, Topacio said.
Full Story at: ‘Quiboloy in highlands, seeking divine guidance’ | Philstar.com
Quiboloy may now be arrested, says House lawmaker | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy may already be arrested, according to Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel.
The lawmaker said the arrest order against Quiboloy took effect on Friday, March 15, following the pastor’s absence during a House of Representatives panel hearing despite his lawyer’s request for a short reprieve.
Pimentel asserted that the House Committee on Legislative Franchises did not receive any feedback from Quiboloy’s lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, regarding his client’s attendance at the hearing.
The committee cited Quiboloy for contempt last Tuesday after he refused to attend hearings on the alleged franchise violations of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI). The ownership of SMNI is being attributed to the pastor. However, Topacio asked lawmakers to grant a reprieve to his client until Friday, noting that he will try to convince Quiboloy to show up.
“As expected, no feedback [from Topacio]. I knew from the very beginning it was just (a) delaying tactic,” Pimentel said in a statement. Pimentel is the vice chairperson of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.
On Feb. 7, Pimentel sought the issuance of a subpoena be issued against Quiboloy after Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas complained that the KJC leader and alleged sex offender had been absent in the hearing several times.
Brosas wanted to ask questions about SMNI ownership, as many lawmakers believe Quiboloy had something to do with the broadcasting network. Brosas based her claims on Quiboloy allegedly receiving preferential treatment from SMNI hosts, supposedly indicating that the pastor was involved with SMNI.
Full Story at: Quiboloy may now be arrested, says House lawmaker (inquirer.net)
Tulfo: Ask Duterte if there was a deal with China on BRP Sierra Madre | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — Former President Rodrigo Duterte should be the one to answer if there was a deal with China to withdraw the BRP Sierra Madre from the West Philippine Sea, said ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Erwin Tulfo on Thursday.
Tulfo was asked by the media about reports regarding the Duterte administration having an agreement with China. China had claimed that the Philippine government agreed to remove the West Philippine Sea outpost BRP Sierra Madre, but did not specify from which administration.
“Maganda po siguro, the former President will answer that kung meron bang kasunduan. Kasi I believe before, previously, sinasabi nila wala, dineny nila ‘yung sa Ayungin Shoal na ‘yan,” Tulfo said
(It is better if the former President answers if there was an agreement. I believe they denied that issue before with the Ayungin Shoal.)
Full Story at: Ask Duterte if there was deal with China on BRP Sierra Madre (inquirer.net)
