SENATOR Risa Hontiveros confirmed that the camp of controversial leader and founder of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) Pastor Apollo Carreon Quiboloy officially received the Senate subpoena on Feb. 22 by KOJC legal counsel Atty. Marie Dinah Tolentino Ferrer in Davao City.

“By authority of Section 17 of the Rules of Procedure Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation of the Senate, Republic of the Philippines, you are hereby commanded and required to appear before the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, then and there to testify under oath on what you know relative to the subject matter under the inquiry by the said Committee, on the date, time and place hereunder indicated,” the Subpoena Ad Testificandum clearly stated.

Hontiveros, chair of the Senate committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, is conducting their investigation based on the numerous complaint received by their offices after several members of Quiboloy’s group specially minors were allegedly forced to solicit donations for a “bogus” charity and that the donations which were used to finance the sect operations and the “lavish lifestyles” of the pastor, the alleged human trafficking and sexual abuse and other crimes against its members.

In an audio message, Quiboloy said those allegations were foul and untrue as he explained that these women were fighting over him because he is rich and famous and because he opted not to marry anyone citing his dedication to his work in order to serve God.

Quiboloy also insisted that the hearing is meant to destroy him and the Duterte family as he described the ongoing hearing a “mere kangaroo court” that violating his constitutional rights and freedom.

Hontiveros shrugged off the defense of the pastor and instead asked him to come forward, show himself and speak in front of those who are accusing him in the Senate.

“Siya lang talaga ang yumaman at guminhawa ang buhay. Si Apollo Quiboloy lang ang yumaman. At paanong hindi ka yayaman? Ang daming tao at mga bata na pinanglilimos mo para sa marangya mong buhay. Para sa iyong mansyon at eroplano. At paano hindi ka yayaman. Walang sweldo ang mga taong ito ay may quota ka pang binibigay sa kanila. Lahat ng abuloy naka turn over sayo. Kaya yumaman ka.” Hontiveros said.

She also said that Quiboloy is making up stories to hide the truth by blaming these women.

“Pinag-aagawan Ka? Ang napakaraming dumaan sa kanya (na mga babae) na sexually ay hindi kusang loob na relasyon kundi ito ay pang gagahasa. Walang consent o kusang loob na pangyayari kundi pinilit ang mga babaeng ito. Naging obligasyon sa kanila ang pangyayari dahil kinondesyon ang isip nila na ito ay dapat nilang gawin.” said Hontiveros.

He also told Quiboloy to attend first his scheduled hearing saying this should be his first obligation rather than offering himself to lead the country.

“Bago ka tumakbo para mamuno sa bansang Pilipinas ay humarap ka na muna sa ating pagdinig. Yung constitutional rights mo na sinasabi mong na violate ay nire respeto natin. Kaya ka nga iniimbitahan ng pormal upang makapag salita ka ng iyong katuwiran at madinig ang iyong panig. Lahat tayo may constitutional right ngunit ang karapatan natin ay may kaakibat din na obligasyon kahit malaya tayo bilang mamamayan.” Hontiveros maintained.

It was also learned that the committee of Hontiveros asked the help of the Dept. of Interior and Local Govt and the Philippine National Police in case Quiboloy refused to attend the next hearing this coming March.

Hontiveros said she will asked for the issuance of the warrant of arrest against Quiboloy should he continue to refuse to honor the subpoena and will ask for the second time the signature of Senate President Miguel Zubiri for the arrest of the KOJC leader.