Senate Presses Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to Face Alleged Victims at October 23 Hearing
APOLLO QUIBOLOY – The Senate wants KOJC leader Apollo Quiboloy to face his alleged victims at October 23 hearing.
The Senate will resume its investigation into Pastor Apollo Quiboloy on October 23, Sen. Risa Hontiveros announced yesterday, emphasizing that she anticipates the victims will confront their alleged abuser, a man accused of multiple s*xual crimes.
Hontiveros stated that the Senate’s inquiry is restarting after a seven-month hiatus, this time with Quiboloy under custody for charges of child sexual abuse and human trafficking. “The victim-survivors will have a chance to confront their former leader and seek justice,” Hontiveros said during a press briefing.
As chair of the Senate women and children committee, Hontiveros confirmed that the committee plans to request the Pasig regional trial court to compel Quiboloy’s attendance at the Senate hearings, which he previously avoided while in hiding.
“We are ready for him to face the committee even if he refuses to answer our questions. The victim-survivors are more than ready to confront their abuser,” she said.
Earlier, the victims testified that they were subjected to sexual abuse by Quiboloy and coerced into fundraising for him under the pretense of religious devotion.
READ ALSO: Risa Hontiveros’ Frank Message Calling Out Quiboloy’s Senate Bid
Hontiveros also praised the recent actions of Marissa Duenas, a Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) official in California, who agreed to a plea deal in a marriage fraud conspiracy case in the United States.
“The plea deal by Marissa Duenas – a reported long-trusted administrator of the KOJC – with US authorities is a significant step towards securing accountability for Quiboloy’s disturbingly long list of crimes here and abroad, which includes sexual abuse of minors, qualified human trafficking, child abuse and others,” Hontiveros stated.
She encouraged Duenas to testify against Quiboloy’s alleged crimes in the U.S., where Quiboloy remains on the FBI’s most-wanted list.
“I also hope that Ms. Duenas, given her position in KOJC, would be open to participating in our continuing investigation on the various allegations of abuses and criminal acts by Quiboloy,” Hontiveros said.
“I urge the Department of Justice to extend all necessary legal assistance to any co-accused or any other person willing to cooperate towards attaining justice for the many women, child and other victims of Quiboloy’s crimes throughout the years,” she added.