2 Mindanao lawmakers urge Quiboloy to face House

MANILA, Philippines — Two lawmakers from different districts in Mindanao have urged Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy to comply with congressional subpoenas, if he really has nothing to hide.

Reps. Cheeno Miguel Almario (Davao Oriental second district) and Peter Miguel (South Cotabato second district) said Quiboloy should honor the subpoena the House committee on legislative franchises issued for a March 12 hearing on the alleged violations of the Davao City-based Sonshine Media Network International, which Quiboloy reportedly owns.

“If you have nothing to hide then you have nothing to fear,” Almario said after a defiant Quiboloy vowed to ignore subpoenas issued by the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Almario added that the House “also wants to hear from their side so that we can have a better understanding on how to move forward with the things we are trying to achieve. There should be a transparent submission of information.”

Miguel offered a similar view, saying Quiboloy – who also faces human trafficking and sex abuse charges in the US – “should give his side on the issue.”

The House committee on legislative franchises, headed by Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting, and the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality, led by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, have separately issued subpoenas against Quiboloy.

Last Feb. 7, the Tambunting panel voted to issue a subpoena to Quiboloy with regard to the defiant stance of Sonshine Media despite a temporary shutdown order the National Telecommunications Commission issued.

“You are hereby directed to appear before the committee on legislative franchises to testify under oath relative to the subject on March 12 at 1 p.m.,” read a single-page summons signed by Speaker Martin Romualdez and panel chairman Tambunting. “Please be advised that failure to comply with this order will constrain the committee to resort to Section 11 of the Rules of Procedure governing inquiries in aid of legislation of the House on the power of contempt.”