Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday, April 8 challenged alleged sex offender Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to face the Senate and respond to the accusations of rape, human trafficking, and labor violations being hurled against him.

Hontiveros made the call following Quiboloy’s recent audio message where he reiterated his conditions and his refusal to appear before the Senate’s investigation.

“Pastor Quiboloy, lumabas ka na sa lungga mo. Tutal nagpapa interview ka na rin sa mga vlogger, aba, magpainterview ka na rin sa amin sa Senado (Pastor Quiboloy, come out of your hiding place. Since you allowed yourself to be interviewed by vloggers, then, allow yourself to be interviewed here by us in the Senate),” Hontiveros said in a statement.

“Hindi naman naitago ng mga audio file na yan ang takot mo matapos umalingasaw ang katotohanan (That audio file failed to mask your fears after the truth surfaced),” she said.

“Wala kang katiting na ebidensya laban sa aming mga matatapang na witnesses. At wala kang karapatang siraan ang institusyon ng Senado at ang mandato nito (You don’t have a single evidence against our brave witnesses. And you have no right to slander the Senate as an institution and its mandate),” she reiterated.

Hontiveros further challenged Quiboloy to repeat the statements he made in interviews in the hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.

“Kung totoong matapang ka, ulitin mo lahat ng sinabi mo tungkol sa Senado, dito sa Senado (If you are truly brave, repeat all of what you said about the Senate, here in the Senate),” she stressed.

“Make your words on record. Record your shameless audacity in history,” she reiterated.

“Patunayan mong ganyan pa rin kabastos ang mga salita mo kapag kaharap mo na kaming mga Senador. Hindi ka namin uurungan (Prove to us how rude you speak when you are before us senators),” she challenged.

Hontiveros further said that the Senate panel, which she chairs, will continue its investigation into Quiboloy and key leaders of his religious group, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) even without his appearance.

The Senate earlier released an arrest warrant against Quiboloy after the latter repeatedly snubbed the subpoena issued by the committee.