Apollo Quiboloy (Photo courtesy of Kingdom of Jesus Christ Facebook)
MANILA – The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the Senate to comment on Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy's petition to stop the legislative chamber from enforcing its arrest order against him.
SC spokesperson Camille Sue Mae L. Ting told reporters Wednesday that the court order did not include an outright restraining order against the Senate while the court hears the case.
"The (SC) order was for the parties to comment (on the petition)," Ting said, adding that the Senate has 10 days upon receipt of the notice.
Last March 19, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri approved the arrest order against Quiboloy for “unduly refusing to appear” before the chamber’s inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse.
The religious leader went to the SC, asking for the nullification of the Senate’s arrest order.
Quiboloy is also facing criminal charges before regional trial courts in Davao City and Pasig City over alleged sexual abuse and qualified human trafficking, respectively.
Ready to respond
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros expressed her readiness to address the directive of the Supreme Court.
"Handa ako para sagutin ang anumang utos ng Korte Suprema (I am ready to comply with whatever the Supreme Court orders)," Hontiveros said in a statement.
"We certainly will comply with the directive of the SC, cognizant of the principle of separation of powers and with only the highest respect for our institutions.”
Hontiveros, however, said that her office has not yet received the SC order.
The lawmaker assured that as soon as she receives the notice, she will “study, deliberate, and respond to it” with the help of her counsel, former Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio. (with Wilnard Bacelonia/PNA)
