Lawyer says Quiboloy still won't attend Senate's 'incriminatory' probe
Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy remains inclined not to attend the Senate’s investigation into the alleged rape, child abuse and human trafficking cases that have been hurled against him, his legal counsel said on Friday, March 15.
Melanio Balayan, Quiboloy’s lawyer said his client still believes that the Senate hearing is still “incriminatory.”
“We still believe po na yung resolution itself is incriminatory and therefore useless po para kay (it is useless for) Pastor Quiboloy na siya ay pumunta sa Senado (to go to the Senate) without sacrificing his fundamental bill of rights,” Balayan said in an interview.
“Kasi po kagaya ng pauli-ulit na sinasabi namin, yung resolution mismo po ay sinasabi na guilty na po sa mga krimen si Pastor at ito ay patuloy niya na kino-commit (because like we have repeatedly said, the resolution itself says that the Pastor is already guilty of a crime and is still committing the crimes),” he said.
Balayan, nevertheless, confirmed that Quiboloy’s camp has already submitted their compliance and legal justifications in response to the show cause issued by the Senate against him last Wednesday.
The lawyer said they will now wait for the Senate’s response to their appeal before making the next step.
Quiboloy has repeatedly snubbed the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality’s previous three hearings despite an invitation.