Quiboloy lawyer: We will comply with Senate show cause order

The camp of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy will comply with the show cause order issued by the Senate.

This was according to Quiboloy’s legal counsel Melanio Balayan in a phone interview with reporters on Wednesday.

“My law firm has received it at 11:10 in the morning…as counsel on record, tatakbo na ‘yung 48 hours,” he said.

“We are deliberating [on our action] still but definitely, we will comply with the show cause order,” he added.

Asked if his client would appear personal or respond in writing, Balayan said “all options are open.”

On Tuesday, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said a show cause order must first be served on Apollo Quiboloy before he could sign a contempt order against the religious leader.

This is consistent with the Supreme Court decision on the petition of Pharmally officials against the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, he added.

Later on that day, Zubiri and Senator Risa Hontiveros signed a show cause order instructing the KOJC leader to explain within a non-extendible period of 48 hours why he should not be ordered arrested and detained at the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms for refusing to attend the committee hearings despite notices.

During the last week’s hearing of the panel, Hontiveros cited Quiboloy in contempt after the religious leader repeatedly ignored the subpoena issued by the Senate as he invoked his right to due process.

But the ruling was objected to by Senator Robin Padilla.

Under Section 18 of the Rules of Procedures Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation, “a majority of all the members may… reverse or modify the aforesaid order of contempt within seven days.”

With this, Padilla tried to gather the support of the majority or eight of the 14 members of the Senate panel.

But after the time period provided under the Senate rules had expired, Padilla was only able to gather the support of five members including himself. The other senators who objected to the issuance of a contempt order against Quiboloy were Senators Imee Marcos, Cynthia Villar, Mark Villar and Bong Go.

Senator JV Ejercito initially signed, then withdrew his signature, citing “serious allegations of rape” made against Quiboloy.

Last Monday or the day before the deadline to gather the support of the majority of the Senate panel members to block Quiboloy’s arrest, Padilla delivered a privilege speech appealing to the Senate committee to issue a show cause order against the KOJC leader and reconsider the contempt order.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Hontiveros said that even though the law firm has received the show cause order, the Senate will still issue one in Quiboloy’s residence in Davao City.

For Hontiveros, it would be better if Quiboloy would answer the show cause order himself. If not, his lawyers should answer on his behalf.

“He’s actually dug his own grave, sabi ko nga. Kung sana nagpakita na siya sa unang mga imbitasyon pa lamang namin, hindi na kailangan umabot sa ganito. Honestly, I cannot think of an unacceptable reason na hindi siya paarestuhin. Lalo na kung mananatili siyang magsabing, he sees no reason to honor the Senate’s invitation or subpoena or show cause order,” Hontiveros said.

(If he only accepted our invitation we wouldn’t have reached this point. Honestly, I cannot think of an unacceptable reason to not have him arrested. Especially if he continues to say he sees no reason to honor the Senate’s invitation or subpoena or show cause order.)

“Pag sinabi niya yun ulit…that really shows the highest disrespect for the Senate as an institution…Siya yung pinakawalang respeto sa nakita ko pa sa tanang buhay kong nagtrabaho dito sa Senado,” she added.

Should Quiboloy cite security threats, Hontiveros said the Philippine National Police and the Senate Office of Sergeant-at-Arms are there to ensure his protection.

Medical reasons would also be an unacceptable cause not to show up at the Senate, she added.

“Walang paglabag sa due process ni Quiboloy. Importanteng linawin ko dito po ‘yung show cause order na ito ay para sa na hindi siya ma-aresto,” she stressed.

Meanwhile, Hontiveros said the attendance of her colleagues in the Senate, former President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte in the pro-Quiboloy rally on Tuesday night would not affect the investigation on the KOJC leader.

Hontiveros said the attendance of the Dutertes would only pose the question: “Why did they make effort to defend a person who is accused of serious and heavy charges?”

“Walang makaka-redirect or walang makakapigil sa patuloy na pagsingil ng accountability kay Quiboloy, kahit yung pagsalita nilang dalawa,” Hontiveros said referring to the Dutertes.

Apart from the Dutertes, Senators Bong Go, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, and Padilla  attended the prayer rally for Quiboloy on Monday evening.—RF, GMA Integrated News