The Senate issued on Tuesday, March 19 an arrest order against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

Signed by Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, he mentioned that Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality found no merit in the explanation of Quiboloy and "has ruled to deny the reliefs prayed for and to issue the order of arrest".

This was after a show-cause order was sent to Quiboloy on "why you should not be ordered arrested and detained at the Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms."

The arrest order mentioned Quiboloy's "unduly" refusal to appear, despite due notices, at the hearings of the Senate panel on January 23, February 19, and March 5, 2024, merely sending his counsel to appear for him without justifiable reason.

It added that this thereby led to the delaying, impeding, and obstructing the inquiry into the reported violation of human trafficking, rape, sexual abuse and violence, and child abuse.

During the March 5 hearing, Quiboloy was cited in contempt by the Senate panel.

"Ordered arrested and detained at the Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms until such time that he will appear and testify in the Committee, or otherwise purges himself of that contempt," the document read.

"The Sergeant-At-Arms is hereby directed to carry out and implement this Order and make a return hereof within twenty-four (24) hours from its enforcement," it added.

Zubiri said that it is ministerial for him to sign the order of arrest pursuant to their duly published Rules Governing Inquiries In Aid of Legislation and the Rules of the Senate.

"Should the witness appear during the next hearing and purge himself of contempt, there will be no need to order his arrest," he said.

"We reiterate that the purpose of the order of arrest is not to punish but to make the inquiry potent and compelling," he added.