Senator Risa Hontiveros said on Wednesday, February 21, that he will cite Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) Pastor Apollo Quiboloy in contempt if he does not attend the hearing in the Senate next month.
Hontiveros, who chairs the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, said the upper chamber only wants Quiboloy to adhere to the legal processes of the law.
"Wag pong pa-victim, ang hinihingi lang sa inyo ay humarap sa mga legal na proseso kasama ang proseso ng senate investigation. Huwag niyo pong dalihin sa lenggwahe ng patayan kahit 'yan ang nakasanayan niyo," Hontiveros said.
"Our next hearing is on March 5, and if Mr. Quiboloy does not show up, I will sight him in contempt and have him arrested," she added.
It can be recalled that on January 23, Quiboly did not respond to Senate's invitation to attend the inquiry about his alleged involvement in sexual abuse within his religious group.
Quiboloy, in his audio message, said he cannot present himself due to the alleged threats against his life, adding that he is under surveillance by the Philippine and American governments.
On Monday, February 19, Hontiveros released a subpoena to address the KOJC leader's issues regarding human trafficking, rape, sexual abuse, and violence.
Several testimonies were heard from the prior hearings, including an "alias Rene," who shared his sexual abuse and harassing experiences inside the ministry of Quiboloy.
Alias Rene said they were forced to beg for "donations" and invite people to join their "cult." If the ₱3,000 quota in a day was not achieved, they would receive a punishment.
