The order to arrest the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy will become "immaterial" as the Senate's purpose is to investigate in aid of legislation, Senator Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa said on Friday, March 8.
In an exclusive interview on Dos Por Dos, Dela Rosa conveyed his position on the issuance of a contempt order to Quiboloy, who repeatedly rejected the Senate's invitation to attend a hearing on the reported abuses within his religious group.
"Para sa akin, magiging immaterial ang pagpapakulong kay Pastor Quiboloy dahil ang purpose sa committee ay inquiry and aid of legislation. Kung may kailangan i-legislate out of that investigation, kailangan presensya niya. Pero kung wala, hindi ko na nakikita kung kailangan pa siya," the senator said.
According to Dela Rosa, the Senate should let the Department of Justice (DOJ) rule on the accusations. "Kung 'yan ay magiging criminal case na, may kasong nakasampa na sa korte, hayaan na ang korte na mag-decide kung ano ang kailangang panangutan ng nasasakdal. Kung sasabihin na ikukulong dahil hindi nag-present, wala akong nakitang aid of legislation na ma-come up natin out the inquiry."
He believes that the Senate doesn't have to issue an arrest warrant as long as the DOJ and the Philippine National Police fulfill their mandate in the case.
Dela Rosa, however, said that he is not sure if the committee members can oppose Quiboloy's warrant of arrest.
"Kasi under our rules, kailangan majority ang boboto para mag-request ang committee sa Senate President na mag-issue ng warrant of arrest 'yong kanyang sina-cite in contempt na resource person. Kung ang apat constitutes the majority, mahaharang na 'yon. Kung maliit na committee lang, nasa 7 members, yung 4 constitutes a majority," the senator explained.
Senator Robin Padilla has collected signatures to oppose the warrant of arrest aginst Quiboloy.
Four senators have signed the petition, including Senators Bong Go, Imee Marcos, Cynthia Villar, and Padilla himself.
Senator JV Ejercito, who earlier signed the bid, retracted his signature. He reasoned that the "serious allegations of rape" during the last committee hearing and the DOJ's filing of sexual abuse and qualified trafficking charges made him decide to withdraw his signature.
