Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday, February 15, said Senate President Juan Miguel 'Migz' Zubiri has yet to act on the subpoena they requested against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
Speaking to reporters in Kapihan sa Senado, Hontiveros shared that she wrote a letter addressed to Zubiri to follow up on her committee's request for the subpoena issuance.
"A subpoena has been requested, and I have followed this up with a formal letter to the Senate President," she said.
When asked why Zubiri has yet approve the request, Hontiveros said: "Kung bakit hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa napirmahan iyon. Hindi ko maipaliwanag 'yon pero mas maigi na malaman kay Senate President."
Hontiveros believes that Quiboloy's continued absence means he is "delaying" and "obstructing" the investigation.
According to the senator, the second hearing into the alleged human trafficking, rape, sexual abuse, and violence in KOJC is set for Monday, February 19.
"Kung totoong walang kasalanan si Quiboloy, kusa na siyang magpapakita sa aming pagdinig sa Lunes, at hindi patago-tago na parang kriminal," she underscored.
Hontiveros issued a stern warning to anyone trying to spoil their investigation: "Huwag ninyong linlangin ang institusyon ng Senado. Hindi niyo kami basta-basta maloloko."
DZRH obtained a copy of Hontiveros' follow-up formal letter dated February 4.
Based on the letter, the senator raised Quiboloy's failure to honor the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family, and Gender Equality's invitation to attend the hearing last January 23.
"To further update you, in the days and weeks after the hearing, my office receives credible evidence of threats on the lives of our two witnesses and potential witnesses. I believe these efforts constitute obstruction of legitimate Senate inquiry and lend urgency to the call to subpoena Mr. Quiboloy," she added.
Kahilingang Subpoena ng Senate Committee on Women and Children para kay Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, hindi pa inaaksyunan ni SP Juan Miguel Zubiri —Sen. Risa Hontiveros | via @RaymundDadpaas, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/B7A5SH88jG
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) February 15, 2024
