Senate panel subpoenas Apollo Quiboloy over alleged sexual abuse

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate committee on women on Tuesday summons the self-proclaimed Appointed Son of God Apollo Quiboloy to appear before the Senate over allegations of sexual abuse.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, presiding over Tuesday’s hearing as the committee chair, moved to subpoena the religious leader for not attending the probe despite having been invited several times.

“Dahil nakapagpadala po ng dalawang imbitasyon… pero walang sagot at attendance ni Pastor Quiboloy. The chair will move to subpoena Apollo Quiboloy for the next hearing of this committee,” said Hontiverois.

(Because we could send an invitation, but Pastor Quiboloy did not answer nor attend. The chair will move to subpoena Apollo Quiboloy for the next hearing of this committee.)

The senator then asked the Bureau of Immigration (BI) whether Quiboloy was still in the Philippines.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco answered: Yes, he is in the country right now.

Hontiveros said this means there shouldn’t be any more reason for Quiboloy not to attend the probe against his alleged offenses.

Earlier, Hontiveros appealed to the Department of Justice to issue an Immigration Lookout Bulletin against the religious leader to ensure he would not leave the country.

During Tuesday’s hearing, former members of Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ testified that there were indeed instances of sexual abuse within the organization.

Apart from physical assault and sexual abuse, some church members were also believed to have been subjected to “exploitative activities” such as begging and soliciting money.