Senator Imee Marcos on Thursday said she hopes the issues surrounding Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy will soon be resolved, adding that she is saddened by the situation.
“Lungkot na lungkot ako sa mga pangyayari tungkol sa SMNI at kay Pastor Quiboloy. Mabait siya sa atin at higit sa lahat tumutulong sa napakarami kaya’t malungkot ako na nauwi sa ganito at sana naisaayos na lamang ito nang mas mapayapa at mas tahimik na pamamaraan,” the senator said during the Kapihan Forum on Thursday.
(I am very sad about the issues surrounding SMNI and Pastor Quiboloy. He is kind to us and most of all helps so many people, so I am saddened that it has come to this and I wish this had been handled in a more peaceful and quiet manner.)
Quiboloy is wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for alleged serious human rights abuses, and faces charges in the US for “conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.”
In the Philippines, Quiboloy has been subpoenaed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives after he skipped their hearings into the alleged abuses being linked to KOJC as well as calls to revoke the franchise of Swara Sug Media Corporation, the legal operating name of Sonshine Media Network International, the broadcast media arm of KOJC.
Quiboloy has said that he will not submit himself to the Senate inquiry into the allegations of sexual abuse made by former members of his religious organization against him, and that he would only face the allegations against him before the courts.
On Wednesday, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. urged Quiboloy to use the congressional hearings to answer the accusations being levelled against him and say his “side of the story.”
Senator Marcos said it is still important to remember that due process and having the right against self-incrimination are necessary.
“Sa ngayon, nandiyan na, we are in a legal situation, susundan na lamang iyan kasi ariyan na. Pero, ganunpaman, inaasahan ko na maisayos iyan sa lalong madaling panahon at alalahanin natin ang karapatan ng lahat including due process and the right against self-incrimination. Tapos iyong mga nagsasabi ng extradition, e wala namang extradition request bakit kayo nagmamadali labis naman,” she added.
(Right now, we are in a legal situation, they must be followed. Nevertheless, I hope this will be resolved soon and that we remember everyone has a right to due process and the right against self-incrimination. And to those saying extradition, there hasn’t been an extradition request.) — BM, GMA Integrated News
