The Senate has the right to compel a witness to testify before its committee hearings no matter how influential they are, Deputy Minority Leader Senator Risa Hontiveros said on Tuesday, February 27.

Hontiveros pointed this out after Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, leader of the religious sect Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), stood pat on his decision to snub the Senate’s subpoena against him.

The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, chaired by Hontiveros, is currently investigating the sexual abuses, human trafficking and forced labor allegations against Quiboloy and leaders of his sect.

“The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality is conducting an investigation in aid of legislation, and it has the power to compel the attendance of witnesses - no matter how well-connected they are,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

The senator said she sees no reason for the religious leader not to participate in the Senate’s ongoing investigation.

“In the past, Cabinet officials, lawmakers, an incumbent Senate President, and even a former President have submitted to Senate subpoenas and appeared as witnesses,” she said.

“His constitutional rights, like all witnesses, are respected. Pero hindi siya mataas pa sa presidente, sa Senado, at sa batas (But he is not above the President, the Senate and the law),” she reiterated.

For her part, said she will not hesitate to stand up against personalities who cause harm to other people, whether men, women, children or even blood relatives “just as the Senate does not hesitate to speak against those who are hurtful, abusive and corrupt.”

“Isa lang ang hinihingi sa inyo—ang magpakita sa Senado (There is only one thing required of you—to appear in the Senate),” she reiterated.

“Tinatawag niyong duwag ang testigong nakatakip ang mukha pero nagpasa naman ng affidavit, habang hindi kayo sumusunod sa subpoena at nagpadala lang ng audio clip (You call the masked witness a coward but passed an affidavit, while you disobeyed the subpoena and only sent an audio clip),” the lawmaker pointed out.

Nevertheless, Hontiveros said the panel will still wait for Quiboloy to attend the hearing.

“The Senate is open for your side. We are waiting for you (Bukas po ang Senado para sa panig niyo. Hinihintay namin kayo),” she said.