Controversial Pastor Apollo Quiboloy swept the stains of his name, accused of using religion to commit crimes against the members of his own religious group, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).
Quiboloy, who appeared for the first time before the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality on Wednesday, was initially asked by Senator Risa Hontiveros to clarify whether the claims of the witnesses who testified in the hearing were true.
Several victims appeared at the hearing and testified, revealing human trafficking and exploitation linked to Quiboloy.
"Doon sa mga testimonya ng mga victim survivors, sinexually abuse niyo ba ang mga babae at menor de edad at ginamit niyo ba ang relihiyon para isexually abuse sila?," Hontiveros asked.
The pastor immediately denied the allegations, saying, "Wala pong katotohanan 'yung kanilang sinabi," and instead encouraged the accusers to file criminal charges against him.
"Kung mayroon po silang charges na kriminal laban sa akin, malaya po silang magfile ng kaso at doon ko sila sasagutin at haharapin sa tamang forum sa korte ng ating lupa tulad ng kinakaharap natin ngayon," said the KOJC pastor.
Hontiveros asserted, citing at least one of the victim survivors who had already filed charges in a Davao court against him, resulting in their appeal to the Department of Justice.
The pastor reiterated his stance, encouraging the alleged victims to file against any of the officials in KOJC.
"Wala pong katotohanan 'yung kanilang sinasabi, at sa tingin ko po ay kabaliktaran, ngunit hinahamon ko po silang mag-file ng kaso sapagkat ito'y mga kriminal na alegasyon," Quiboloy said.
"Para maging fair, ay maghain sila ng kaso laban sa akin o kanino mang kanilang gustong mag-file laban sa mga leaders or members ng Kingdom," he added.
Senator Hontiveros further pressed Quiboloy, confirming if he really ordered the children to beg for him to sustain KOJC and his lifestyle.
Quiboloy, without finishing the senator's question, said, "Wala po kaming mga polisiya na magpalimos ang bata." He also denied that adults were urged to beg.
The "Dry Fasting" testimony by one of the victims, stating that they hadn't eaten for weeks as punishment, was also denied by Quiboloy, who claimed that there was no such policy.
When asked about who ordered KOJC members to get married abroad and collect money there, Quiboloy said he invoked his rights, stating that there was already a case filed against him.
The session involved testimonies from various individuals, including survivors and former members of Quiboloy’s religious group, such as Teresita Valdehueza, a pioneer of KOJC; Russian Yulya Voronina, who was only 12 years old when she joined KOJC; Eduard Ablaza Masayon, a former member of the 2nd Signal Battalion; and Jocelyn Mondejar, also known as "Alias Marie." Their stories revolved around their experiences in human trafficking and sexual abuse.
Quiboloy currently faces a non-bailable charge of qualified human trafficking under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, in a Pasig court.
He is also facing charges under Section 5(b) and Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
