Metro Manila, Philippines – Detained religious leader Apollo Quiboloy failed in his legal bid to skip attendance to Wednesday’s Senate hearing on his human trafficking and sexual abuse cases, including that of his group, Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
The Pasig Regional Trial Court on Monday granted the request of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality to allow the attendance of Quiboloy, now detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center. Pasig RTC Branch 159 is handling the non-bailable qualified human trafficking case against Quiboloy and his co-accused. They have pleaded not guilty.
Quiboloy filed an opposition to block the Senate request, citing the right against self-incrimination amid pending court cases.
However, the Pasig court referenced jurisprudence stating that “the mere filing of a criminal and administrative complaint before a court or a quasi-judicial body should not automatically bar the conduct of a legislative investigation.”
It also noted that the right against self-incrimination can only be invoked when facing an incriminating question.
“Wherefore, viewed from the foregoing, the letter-request to allow the appearance of the accused before the public hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality on October 23, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. is hereby GRANTED,” the court order read.
It also directed the Pasig city jail warden and the chief of the PNP Custodial Center to escort Quiboloy and five others to the Senate and ensure their security. Quiboloy’s co-accused includes his aides Jackielyn Wong Roy, Cresente Chavez Canada alias Enteng, Ingrid Chanvez Canada, Paulene Chavez Canada, and Sylvia Calija Cemanes.
Quezon City Branch 106, which handles the bailable child abuse charges against Quiboloy, deferred to the Pasig court’s decision.
