Senator Risa Hontiveros declared she has nothing to fear after the legal team of detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy filed libel and cyber libel complaints against her and two other lawmakers on Thursday.
Responding to the charges filed before the Pasig City Regional Trial Court by Quiboloy’s legal counsel, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, Hontiveros urged the pastor to face his criminal allegations directly instead of attempting to shift public attention.
“Kung talagang naniniwala si Quiboloy sa hustisya at sa Diyos, harapin niya ang mga paratang laban sa kanya. Managot na lang siya imbes na baligtarin ang usapan,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
The senator emphasized that Quiboloy remains wanted by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for serious offenses, including human trafficking, sexual abuse, and child exploitation. She noted that her public comments were rooted in official Senate committee testimonies delivered by victims who came forward to detail alleged abuse within the KOJC.
“Siya ang itinuro ng mga biktima na nagtulak sa kanilang manlimos para siya ay yumaman. Siya ang itinurong sexual abuser ng mga babae at menor de edad. Ang dapat nating protektahan ay ang mga biktima at kababayan nating naglakas-loob magsalita at lumantad laban kay Quiboloy,” Hontiveros added, reiterating her commitment to stand by the victims as long as they seek justice.
Topacio filed the complaints shortly before noon yesterday against Hontiveros, Representative Percy Cendana, and Representative Leila de Lima over remarks made when news broke that the U.S. government had formally submitted an extradition request for Quiboloy.
Topacio argued that the lawmakers’ statements violated Quiboloy’s constitutional right to be presumed innocent while legal proceedings are ongoing.
“Nung lumabas po ang balita na may extradition request ang ating butihing Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, ay nag-komento po itong tatlong personalidad na ito… ng mga salita na, para sa amin, ay nakakapanirang puri kay Pastor Quiboloy, gayong itong mga usaping tungkol sa mga akusasyon laban sa kanya ay hindi pa po tapos, ongoing pa po at may presumption of innocence ang isang akusado sa ilalim ng ating Saligang Batas,” Topacio stated outside the courtroom.
The complaints cover multiple counts of libel and cyber libel under the Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.