“Compelling reasons” prompted the Supreme Court (SC) to order the transfer of the criminal cases for child abuse and exploitation filed against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo C. Quiboloy from the regional trial court (RTC) in Davao City to the Quezon City RTC.
It said the “cases involve public interest, with the accused (Quiboloy), a well-known religious leader, being influential in the area.”
“As this could cause local biases and a strong possibility that witnesses cannot freely testify due to fear and influence of the accused, the Court found it prudent and judicious to order the transfer of the cases to Quezon City,” the SC said in a press statement issued by its Public Information Office (PIO).
With the transfer, the SC directed the clerk of court of RTC Branch 12 in Davao City “to forward the entire records of Criminal Case Nos. R-DVO24-01439-CR and R-DVO-24-01440-CR to the Office of the Executive Judge of the RTC, Quezon City within three days from notice.”
“The Quezon City RTC Executive Judge was also directed to raffle the cases, upon receipt of the case records, among the judges in the station, who shall decide the cases with utmost dispatch,” it also ordered.
At the same time, the SC directed Davao City judges and other judges in Mindanao where future related cases involving Quiboloy and his co-accused may be filed “to motu proprio (on their own initiative) order the transmittal of the records to the Office of the Clerk of Court of the RTC, Quezon City and Metropolitan Trial Court, Quezon City, as the case may be.”
The transfer of the case was sought by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla in a letter dated April 4, 2024.
Among other things, Remulla cited that “the significance of the subject cases extends beyond the local context, touching on broader national policies, public interest, and security concerns.”
In the Davao City RTC case, Quiboloy and his five co-accused were charged with violations of Section 5(b) and Section 10(a) of Republic Act (RA) No. 7610, the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
Quiboloy's five co-accused are Jackielyn W. Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid C. Canada, and Sylvia Cemanes.
The filing of the case in Davao City RTC was contained in a resolution issued by Secretary Remulla who granted the petition filed by the female victim seeking the reversal of the Nov. 23, 2020 resolution of the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office that dismissed her complaint against Quiboloy and the other accused.
The female victim was only 17 years old when the alleged crimes were committed in 2011.
Remulla's resolution also resulted in the filing of charges before the Pasig City RTC of a criminal case for qualified human trafficking, a non-bailable offense, against Quiboloy.
Quiboloy’s co-accused in the Davao City case are also his co-accused in the Pasig City case. Both trial courts have issued arrest orders against Quiboloy and his co-accused.
But Quiboloy remained at large since then. His co-accused in the Davao City case have posted bail.
Earlier, Quiboloy had said that he will surrender only if there is a written guarantee from President Marcos, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Medardo de Lemos that the American government will not interfere with his cases in the Philippines.
President Marcos has already assured “we will exercise all the compassion to Pastor Quiboloy, whom we've known for a very long time.”
On the other hand, Remulla declared that “Quiboloy cannot impose any conditions” in surrendering to authorities.
Combined forces of law enforcement agencies have gone to Quiboloy's residence and other areas where he could be found but failed to locate him.
Published reports stated that Quiboloy has been indicted in the United States for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling.
Quoting the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the same reports stated that Quiboloy is wanted “for his alleged participation in a labor trafficking scheme that brought church members to the United States, via fraudulently obtained visas, and forced the members to solicit donations for a bogus charity, donations that actually were used to finance church operations and the lavish lifestyles of its leaders.”