Padilla calls for consideration, proper treatment for Quiboloy amid contempt order
By Dhel Nazario
Senator Robinhood Padilla has formally sought consideration for Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy in relation to his contempt order issued by a Senate panel.
During his privilege speech, Padilla also sought to allow a show cause order to be issued to Quiboloy in the committee's next hearing, citing Quiboloy's safety as well as his contributions to society.
"Bilang pangwakas po, nais ko pong ihayag sa opisyal na rekord ang ating kahilingan: ang mabigyan po ng konsiderasyon ang hiling ni Pastor laban sa contempt order ng Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, at mabigyan ng daan ang pagpapalabas po ng Show Cause Order kay Pastor sa susunod na pagdinig (In conclusion, I wish to put on record my request that Quiboloy's request against the contempt order be considered, and the Show Cause order be allowed in the next hearing)," he said.
Padilla pointed out Quiboloy contributed greatly to the fight against the threat of the New People's Army (NPA), through his media outlet Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).
He added there are now threats to Quiboloy's personal safety, which, he said, is why Quiboloy must be careful when in public. This is aside from the United States' plan to file charges against him, he added.
"Isa po ang ating kahilingan para kay Pastor Apollo Quiboloy – iyon ay ang mabigyan lamang naman natin, hindi po ng kapalit, kundi ng karampatang pagtrato ang naging serbisyo naman po ni Pastor sa ating bayan (I have one request for Quiboloy - that we treat him accordingly for his service to the nation)," said Padilla.
"Bilang paglilinaw, hindi po niya tinatalikuran ang obligasyong sagutin ang mga paratang sa kanya. Ang nais po niya ay sagutin ito sa tamang espasyo kung saan matatamo niya ang isang patas na pagdinig at paggalang sa kanyang karapatan sa due process (I want to make clear he is not running away from his obligation to answer the charges against him. He wants to answer the charges in the proper forum where his rights to due process are respected)," he added.
Padilla noted Quiboloy fought the NPA threat by allowing SMNI to air Padilla's movie "Memoirs of a Teenage Rebel" to deter the recruitment of youths to the NPA.
Because of SMNI's support, he said many rebels returned to the fold of the law. He added SMNI supported the whole-of-government approach aginst the insurgency.
Aside from this, he said only SMNI aired his documentary "Isang Linggong Pag-Ibig," about the plight of fishermen in the West Philippine Sea.
Most importantly, Padilla said the accusations against Quiboloy are now with the Department of Justice, which will file charges in court if needed.
Because of this, he said there is no need for Congress to hold hearings because it is the judiciary that will determine one's guilt or innocence; and congressional hearings would entail taxpayers' money.