Senator Risa Hontiveros disclosed on Thursday, Feb. 15, that her request to issue a subpoena against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy has yet to be signed by the Senate leadership, as witnesses against the religious leader have been the target of threats.

"Kung bakit hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa napirmahan iyon, eh, hindi ko maipaliwanag yun. So, mas maigi pong kay Senate President niyo na lamang pong itanong (As to why until now it has not been signed, I cannot explain that. It's better that you ask the Senate President himself)," she said during the Kapihan sa Senado forum.

Hontiveros had written a letter dated Feb. 6 wherein she mentioned that a subpoena was issued against Quiboloy to compel his attendance in a committee hearing.

“For the information of the Senate President, Mr. Quiboloy has failed to honor the invitation of the Committee in its hearing on January 23, 2024, and the Senate has, under your leadership and the leadership of past Senate Presidents, consistently issued subpoenas against resource persons who fail, without justifiable reason, to attend its inquiries,” the letter read.

“To further update you, in the days and weeks after the hearing, my office is in receipt of credible evidence of threats on the lives of our first two witnesses and potential witnesses,” it added.

Hontiveros noted that if a witness ignores an invitation of any Senate committee, the next step or instrument in the senators' hands will be the subpoena. An arrest order, according to Hontiveros, cannot be issued without a subpoena.

Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri has yet to reply to the media's questions regarding on the matter as of this posting.

Quiboloy is known to be influential and is close to a number of politicians in Mindanao. But Hontiveros emphasized that in any investigation, "no one is above the law".

The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality is investigating Quiboloy and the leaders of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) who have been linked to various allegations, including their involvement in large-scale human trafficking, rape, sexual violence, and child abuse.

During the hearing last Jan. 23, victim-survivors recalled their harrowing ordeal at the hands of Quiboloy. They testified on how they were told to personally bathe the alleged cult leader.

Hontiveros disclosed during the media forum that they have evidence of threats against "Amanda" and "Jerome", who testified in the previous hearing.

"We also have it on good authority that former members of KOJC are being gathered and promised favors in exchange for not cooperating in our Senate investigation," she added.

The senator also mentioned that some members of the KOJC were told to coordinate with her office to act as witnesses against Quiboloy, but their real goal was to discredit the Senate hearing.

"To anyone trying to spoil our investigation, this is a warning. Huwag ninyong linlangin ang institusyon ng Senado. Hindi ninyo kami basta-basta maloloko (Do not deceive the Senate institution. You cannot easily fool us)," she said.