“HINIGITAN niya pa ang 10 commandments ng Diyos.”

This was the immediate reaction of Senate Deputy Minority leader Risa Hontiveros on the reported 17 conditions set by founder and leader of Kingdom of Jesus Christ Apollo Carreon Quiboloy to face the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality investigating the alleged crimes committed by the KoJC pastor.

“Ngayon pa lang ako nakaranas ng isang resource person sa Senado na may kondisyones pa bago siya humarap. First time ko narinig ang ganito. At dinaig pa niya ang 10 Utos ng Diyos dahil ang sa kanya ay umabot pa ng 17 na utos at kondisyones. Parang hindi normal ang gusto niyang mangyari dahil siya pa ang may mga kondisyones na pwede niya ako at ang mga witnesses na i cross examine ng walang limit? He is out of this world.” Hontiveros said as she maintained that the Senate will not bend its rule for Pastor Quiboloy.

“Bakit Senado ang mag-a-adjust sa kanya? The Senate will not bend its rules and procedures for you, Pastor Quiboloy, even if you are, as you say, a self- appointed son of God . Hindi kami para utusan mo. You will not mock the system of check and balance under our watch. This is not up for debate.” the lady senator added.

The conditions came out but without formal confirmation from any of the legal camp of Pastor Quiboloy.

“Wow! If this is true, masyado naman po magastos ang mga conditions na ito. Hard to get po masyado si Pastor Quiboloy. Ang aming imbestigasyon ay in aid of legislation para maging daan para makagawa ng mga karagdagan batas na mabigyan proteksyon ang ating mga kababayan,” Hontiveros said.

On the proposal for a possible virtual hearing, Hontiveros said he must submit first to the committee and “the invocation of the right against self-incrimination” should be made by a witness who is physically present and on a per question basis.

“This has been settled by the Supreme Court. Sa madaling salita, kailangan niya pa rin magpakita sa Senado. Ang bibigat ng mga paratang sa kanya pero hindi pa rin siya nagpapakita,”she said.

Hontiveros maintained that it is important for each and every member of her committee to review and listen to the cry of the victims.

“Of course I respect the prerogatives of my fellow senators, pero may kaunting oras pa naman para ma review nila ang mga testimonya ng mga witness sa ating mga hearings, lalo na yung mga kababaihan. Syempre hopeful pa rin ako na maitataguyod natin ang mga prinsipyo ng transparency, accountabity at moral responsibility. I am hopeful na maninindigan ang aking mga kasama sa komite para sa mga biktima na ito, ” Hontiveros was quoted as saying.

Hontiveros also laughed off the statement that the Senate is not a court and what her committee is doing does not actually help in legislating any law which is the main role of any senator in the senate as she belied that this investigation is political in nature.

“Una hindi papel ng Senado para desisyunan kung guilty siya o hindi. Pero papel ng Senado para malaman kung may gaps ang existing law o batas natin like yung sexual abuse within secretive religious organization pretending as embodiment of God, inability of our labor laws to protect the people. Hindi natin ma distinguish dahil religious organization nga kung anong category sila. So dapat magkaroon ng clear line para protektado ang mga tao,” Hontiveros clarified.

Meanwhile, Hontiveros disclosed that the Money Laundering Council will be invited in the next hearing to shed lights on many issues as she expressed the possibility that the religion of Quiboloy is being used for Money Laundering activities.