DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 29 February) – “A good lawyer will advise Quiboloy to cooperate. No ifs and buts, no way around this,” Law professor and former Law dean Antonio La Viña said in reaction to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s advice to his friend and spiritual adviser Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to “get yourself arrested” instead of showing up at the March 5 Senate Committee hearing that is investigating his and his church’s alleged involvement in human and sex trafficking, rape and child abuse, among others.
La Viña said Duterte, a lawyer and former member of Congress, “forgot a basic doctrine” of constitutional law, that Congress – the Senate and House of Representatives – has the power to conduct investigations in aid of legislation.
“When the Senate or House of Representatives subpoenas someone, that person must cooperate or risk arrest. A good lawyer will advise Quiboloy to cooperate. No ifs and buts, no way around this,” he said.
The Senate had issued a subpoena for Quiboloy to appear at 10 a.m. on March 5 at the hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality after he snubbed the committee’s invitation twice. The subpoena was received by Quiboloy’s lawyer in Davao City on February 22.
The Senate Committee chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros is investigating “reported cases of large-scale human trafficking, rape, sexual abuse and violence, and child abuse of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) under its leader Apollo Quiboloy.”
Hontiveros’ Senate Resolution 884 proposed an investigation in aid of legislation to “allow us to determine whether our updated human trafficking laws are able to cover large-scale and systemic acts of trafficking done under the cover of a religious organ.”
Asked during a press conference on Tuesday night at the Pavilion 2 of the Harana Restaurant here what his advice would be for Quiboloy who will be cited for contempt and arrested if he does not appear before the Senate Committee hearing on March 5, Duterte replied: “get yourself arrested.”
“This is a free country. If you do not want to go there, get arrested,” he said.
Duterte acknowledged that “unreasonable refusal” to appear before the Senate could lead to arrest. “Maybe first is invitation then comes the subpoena. A subpoena is more or less like a subpoena of court. Same effect. It can compel your attendance. Pero ako naman, kung ayaw niya, ano ba gusto mo sa kanya? Wala man akong nakita na of national interest” (But for me, if he doesn’t like, what do you want from him? I do not see anything of national interest here).
Quiboloy has also been subpoenaed by the House of Representatives to appear and testify before the House Committee on Legislative Franchises at 1 p.m. on March 12.
The Committee is conducting a hearing on a bill seeking to revoke the congressional franchise of Swara Sug Media Corporation, which operates as Sonshine Media Network International or SMNI.
Before leaving for Australia on Wednesday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on Quiboloy to come out and face Congress.
“That’s why my advice for him is to just face the questioning in the House and in the Senate. Marinig natin ang kaniyang side para malaman natin kung ano ba talagang nangyayari dito. (We can listen to his side so that we will know what really happened here). We’re trying to be fair here and allowing him an opportunity and fora to make his case. So, I think he should take advantage of that,” he added.
Reporters asked Marcos to comment on Quiboloy’s claims that he and First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos are conniving with the US government to assassinate him.
“Walang may gustong mag-assassinate sa kaniya. Bakit siya i-assassinate, wala namang— why would anyone want him dead? Hindi ko naiintindihan ‘yung sinasabi niya. Bakit siya i-assassinate.”
“Bukas ang Senado para sa kanyang panig at siya lamang ay aming hinihintay” (The Senate is open to listen to his side. We are waiting for him), Hontiveros told Senate reporters on Wednesday.
“The committee assures Quiboloy as it assures, and has always assured any and all witnesses na humarap sa amin, na (to face us, that) they will have the chance to answer the questions and to present their side doon sa subject ng resolution,” she said. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
