DEPUTY Speaker and Quezon 2nd District Rep. David “Jay-jay” Suarez on Monday emphasized the significance of respecting the House of Representatives and Senate processes, particularly in light of the subpoenas issued by both chambers against embattled televangelist Apollo Quiboloy.
“I think we need to respect the legislative processes of both the Senate and the House. It is the prerogative of the committees to determine and to invite resource persons so that proper legislations can be enacted,” Suarez said in a press conference on Monday.
Suarez issued the statement in response to Quiboloy’s continued refusal to participate in congressional hearings, with at least two senators supporting the religious leader’s stance and suggesting that any charges against him should be pursued through proper legal channels in court.
Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino “Inno” Dy, meanwhile, urged Quiboloy to attend the hearings if he has nothing to hide.
“Sa atin lang gusto naman natin mabigyan ng linaw at kung wala namang tinatago, wala naman mali sa ginagawa nila, then there’s no reason not to show up here in Congress,” Dy, a member of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, said.
“You were invited, so para po sa amin ‘yun po prerogative din po natin ito, mandato po natin ito para mabigyang linaw ang ating legislation,” he added.
The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality is currently investigating allegations of human trafficking, rape, and sexual and physical abuse reportedly perpetrated by Quiboloy within his congregation at Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), allegedly under the guise of enforcing obedience.
On the other hand, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises is currently deliberating on a bill aimed at revoking the legislative franchise of Swara Sug Media Corporation, operating as Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), due to multiple serious violations.
“Hindi naman po dapat mauwi sa kasuhan kung wala namang krimen at kasalanan, ‘di ba? Ang hinahanap lang po ng komite ng franchise, pumunta po siya dito para sagutin po ‘yong katanungan ng mga miyembro. Wala naman po tayong pinag-uusapan na kaso, so bakit natin kailangang dalhin sa korte?” Suarez pointed out.
Suarez then explained the reason why Quiboloy should attend the hearing in the House.
“Meron po kasing usapin doon sa ownership at ang lumalabas doon sa Swara Sug, si Pastor Apollo Quiboloy ay tumatayong may-ari no’ng Swara Sug. But apparently nagkaro’n ng pagbabago sa ownership, kaso lang hindi maayos na maipaliwanag ng mga representatives ng SMNI kung papaano po nangyari ito,” Suarez said.
“At bilang pinuno ng Kingdom of Jesus Christ, if I’m not mistaken, I think he is the person who is with the right knowledge and information to discuss and to explain the needs and the requirements of the Committee on Franchise,” Suarez added.
Dy stressed the importance of Quiboloy’s attendance, particularly due to his previous role as the head of SMNI.
“It is very important for Pastor Quiboloy to attend the hearings because bulk of the matters, siya lang po bilang dating naging head noong SMNI ay, dapat siya po ‘yong makasagot sa mga ito,” Dy said.
The lawmaker also underscored the necessity for clarity and insight from resource persons like Quiboloy to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand.
“Nais malaman mula po sa mga resource persons natin, ngunit kulang ‘yong pagkakaalam or ‘yong kaalaman no’ng mga tinatanong po natin,” he emphasized.
The House panel, chaired by Parañaque City 2nd District Rep. Gus Tambunting, has summoned Quiboloy to appear and testify at the hearing scheduled for March 12.
The hearing stems from a series of alleged violations by SMNI, including the dissemination of fake news, involvement in red-tagging, and serious corporate offenses.
The subpoena, signed by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Tambunting, and House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, serves as a reminder to Quiboloy that his “failure to comply with this Order will compel the Committee to resort to Section 11 of the Rules of Procedure Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation of the House of Representatives, granting the power of contempt.”
