“I will request the Senate President Zubiri to approve the warrant of arrest.”

These were the words of Senate Deputy Minority Leader Sen. Risa Hontiveros who chairs the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality investigating the allegedly numerous crimes committed by founder and Leader of Kingdom of Jesus Christ Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

Hontiveros clarified that the Senate is not a court but a legislative body and Quiboloy will face arrest because of his consistent stand not to attend and present himself in the ongoing probe being conducted by Hontiveros.

“Makukulong lang si Quiboloy sa Senado sa hindi pagdalo sa pagdinig, at hindi para sa mga mabibigat na paratang ng mga biktima laban sa kanya.” Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros clarified that the show cause order requested by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri was not actually part of the rules in the Senate and the only reason she allowed it is for the sake of fair play and to show that her committee is willing to listen to reasons and suggestions.

“Request pa nila, iakyat daw sa plenary ang pag-determine ng show cause order. Sa totoo lang, wala nga sa Rules ang show cause order. It was a courtesy extended to Sen. Robin, at the request of the SP. Kung wala nga sa Rules ang show cause order, much less wala sa Rules na kailangan ng hearing in plenary to resolve the show cause order,” Hontiveros explained.

Hontiveros said bringing the matter to the plenary session will only give senators who were not part of the committee to express their votes which she clarified is not also part of the rules.

Based on reports, counsel of Pastor Quiboloy formally submitted their response to a show cause order issued by the committee on why the pastor should not be detained by the Senate after he failed to submit himself thrice on various allegations hurled against the KoJC leader like sexual abuse, child abuse and human trafficking.

In a 19-page document, Atty. Melanio Elvis Balayan, counsel for Quiboloy, cited in his argument that the investigation being conducted by the Committee is not in aid of legislation and insisting that the matter tantamount to usurpation of judicial functions beyond the powers of the Senate.

The letter also said that the investigation was brazenly incriminatory after it allegedly declared the guilt of Pastor Quiboloy for crimes being attributed to him by the so-called witnesses which the letter said “totally disregarding the constitutional presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”

The letter also stated that Pastor Quiboloy’s refusal to attend the hearing was “not a sign of disrespect to honorable Senate nor a disregard of its powers and functions but is purely based on the fact that the criminal accusations against him can only be legitimately settled before the competent courts.”

Reportedly, the lawyer of Quiboloy said their client will definitely not attend the hearing.

“Hanggat nakasalang po ang aming Compliance and Show Cause Order, hihintayin po namin ang tugon ng Senado sa aming Legal Compliance at from there we will take it po kung ano ang the best legal avenue or legal actions we could take.” Balayan reportedly said.

Hontiveros in response said that what was stated by Quiboloy was already mentioned in their previous argument,” “Ang mga issues na sinabi nila sa kanilang response ay pinahayag na din ng kanyang abogado sa unang pagdinig na pinatawag siya. ”

Hontiveros maintained that her style and actuations as well as the other arguments being used against her was done previously by other senators in their other hearings and it did not create waves of criticism nor questioned by any of them in the past.

“Sana po ay sınilip din nila ang precedents sa Senado. Ang ilang mga halimbawa: a.) Senator Cynthia Villar cited Davidson Bangayan in contempt and ordered his arrest even if criminal charges were already filed against him. b.) Senator Bato de la Rosa continued to hear the disappearance of Catherine Camilon even though charges were filed against the police officer believed to have killed her. c.) Senator Imee Marcos presented witnesses with covered faces and using aliases in her hearing on people’s initiative. d.) At si SP mismo, noong Senate hearings sa pagpatay kay Horacio Castillo, hindi niya tinanggap ang right against self-incrimination excuse at ginamit doon ang contempt power ng Senado. Dahil diyan naipasa ang Anti-Hazing Law of 2018 o R.A. 11053.” Hontiveros insisted as she clarified that this was acceptable by the senate as a body.

Hontiveros explained that her investigation is in aid of legislation and her committee is not a court of law, but it is her duty as an elected senator to conduct a probe on matters concerning the lives of Filipino people and thereby to craft a stronger law to protect them.

“As to the proposed resolution being incriminatory, uulitin ko: ang Senado ay hindi hukom. It cannot judge guilt or innocence. The Senate resolution is merely PROPOSED. It binds the institution only when passed in plenary. And even then it cannot be a source of rights, duties or liabilities. ” She said.

Hontiveros said Quiboloy has been issuing statements left and right but continue to refuse to face his detractors and provide his side of the story in answer point by point to all the allegations being hurled against him.

“Magpakita na lang na si Quiboloy bakit ba ang dami pa niyang drama,” Hontiveros said.