Metro Manila, Philippines – Embattled religious leader Apollo Quiboloy is seeking to be free from detention with a bail petition lodged before the court in relation to his qualified human trafficking case, his legal counsels said on Tuesday, Jan. 14.
The leader of the megachurch Kingdom of Jesus Christ made the appeal, insisting that the evidence of guilt against him is “weak.”
“Since Pastor Apollo Quiboloy honestly believes in his innocence of the charges hurled against him and the evidences arrayed against him per the Affidavit Complaint and those presented during Pre-trial proper do not point to his culpability of such crimes, then he decided to avail of such right and requested me to file such petition for bail,” Israelito Torreon, the televangelist’s legal counsel, told NewsWatch Plus in a message.
While qualified human trafficking is a non-bailable offense in the Philippines, Quiboloy’s camp believes it is a “misnomer.”
Ferdinand Topacio, the pastor’s other counsel, said “everyone may avail of” bail. Even those who are accused of crimes with a penalty of life imprisonment or reclusion perpetua may do so, depending on the court’s discretion, he explained.
“The prosecution will bear the burden of proof to show that evidence of guilt is strong; otherwise bail should be granted because of the Constitutional presumption of innocence,” Topacio said in a separate message.
Appeal to attend live interview denied
Facing child abuse and qualified trafficking charges, Quiboloy has been detained at the Pasig City Jail.
Meanwhile, a Pasig court has denied Quiboloy’s appeal to attend a live interview in relation to his senatorial bid.
In a ruling dated Jan. 13, the judge said there was no supposed formal invitation attached to the pastor’s motion, “impeding” the court “from setting up appropriate parameters.”
The court also noted the legal consequences and risks associated with Quiboloy’s possible remarks.
“Any discussion of the merits of his pending criminal case or commentary that could influence public perception of the judiciary or the ongoing proceedings may undermine the impartiality and integrity of the judicial process,” the ruling stated.
