THE appointment of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as the administrator of the assets and properties of televangelist Apollo Quiboloy‘s Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) has sparked limited concerns among legislators, who suggested that the move may have minimal implications.

1-RIDER Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez acknowledged the former president’s new role but expressed uncertainty regarding any substantial implications, particularly in light of the ongoing congressional inquiries involving Quiboloy, KOJC, and the broadcast network SMNI.

“Of course, there’s very little prohibitions to a former president. As a private person [he is] free to take on any role that may be offered to him,” Gutierrez, a member of Young Guns and a lawyer, said in response to a question during the regular press conference at the House of Representatives.

He added: “Iyong question po if there’s any implications, I would say wala naman po siguro. Tuloy naman po at least on our part here sa House, tuloy naman po iyong inquiry and we don’t see any effect from that which remains to be seen. We don’t know in what manner an administrator will be participating pero tuloy pa rin po iyong ating inquiry.”

Quiboloy has been subpoenaed to attend the hearing of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises on a bill seeking to revoke the congressional franchise of Swara Sug Media Corp., operating as SMNI, which is believed to be owned by the KOJC leader.

Deputy Speaker and Quezon 2nd District Rep. David “Jay-jay” Suarez echoed Gutierrez’s sentiment, emphasizing Quiboloy’s right to appoint the former president as administrator of his assets.

“Naniniwala po ako na bilang dating pangulo siya po ay magsisilbing daan upang siguraduhin na kung anuman po ang mga legal processes na kakailanganin natin upang malaman ang mga questions of law that is now being faced by [KOJC], Swara Sug and all the other assets that would be available to the committee,” Suarez pointed out.

Just like Gutierrez, Suarez downplayed any significant implications of the appointment, emphasizing the need for due process and adherence to legal procedures in addressing pertinent issues concerning the assets in question.

“Ang hinahabol naman po natin talaga dito ay iyong katotohanan, ang hinahabol naman po talaga natin dito ay iyong karapatan, at sisiguraduhin po natin na ito po ay dadaan sa maayos at tamang proseso dito po sa Kongreso,” Suarez stressed.

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