Sen. Risa Hontiveros sees the arraignment of Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy as a 'big step' for the attainment of justice.
"Karapat-dapat managot sa batas si Apollo Quiboloy. He and his co-accused have caused unspeakable pain to women, children, and the most vulnerable," Hontiveros said on Friday, September 13, in a statement.
"Ang pagpapaharap sa kanila sa hukuman ay isang malaking hakbang tungo sa ganap na hustisya," she added.
Hontiveros, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, said that more witnesses have appeared to testify against the religious leader.
"Partikular na nagpapasalamat tayo kay alias Amanda. Siya ang isa sa unang nag-testify in public, sa pamamagitan ng Senado, para isiwalat ang sistematikong panggagahasa, pang-aabuso, at pananamantala ni Quiboloy," Hontiveros stressed.
"Until now, her courage has inspired more victim-survivors to fight for justice. Kaya magpapatuloy ang aming Senate hearing," she said.
Hontiveros leads the Senate investigation on the accusations against Quiboloy, and she plans to summon the religious in the next hearings.
"Papaharapin natin si Quiboloy at mga kapwa niya akusado sa Senado. Maraming biktima pa ang gustong mag-testigo para ipaglaban ang kanilang pagkatao, ang kanilang dignidad, at ang buong katotohanan," the senator stressed.
Quiboloy and his four other co-accused underwent arraignment at the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 159 on Friday for the human trafficking cases against them.
Quiboloy, Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Ingrid Canada, and Sylvia Cemañes all pleaded not guilty to the human trafficking charges.
They also face sexual abuse charges at a court in Quezon City.
