Lawmakers stood firm Monday on their insistence on the attendance of embattled televangelist Pastor Apollo Quiboloy at the forthcoming hearing of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises set for today Tuesday, rejecting any further excuses or delays.
They also played down any substantial consequences arising from the appointment of former president Rodrigo R. Duterte as the “administrator” of Quiboloy’s assets and properties.
Deputy Speaker David Suarez, speaking during news conference, emphasized the necessity for Quiboloy to respect the legislative process and clarify issues surrounding the investigations into the franchise of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).
“Pastor Quiboloy has to respect the legislative process of Congress. He was invited and asked to present himself so that he can clarify issues regarding the investigations being conducted by the Committee on Franchise,” Suarez pointed out.
Quiboloy has been subpoenaed by the committee to address concerns regarding his role in Swara Sug Media Corporation, the entity operating as SMNI, whose congressional franchise is under scrutiny due to numerous serious violations.
Suarez stressed the crucial importance of Quiboloy’s testimony, refuting claims by his legal representatives that he has been detached from the network’s management since 2018.
Suarez emphasized that the committee has a history of inviting resource persons to shed light on various issues, indicating that Quiboloy’s absence should not be an exception.
“I don’t think Pastor Quiboloy should be an excuse from the many people that have presented themselves and became resource persons for any issue that the House has taken,” Suarez pointed out.
1-RIDER Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, the bill’s author seeking to revoke SMNI’s franchise, also rejected Quiboloy’s lawyers’ arguments, affirming his capability to provide pertinent details about SMNI’s management and operations.
“That’s not new, with all due respect to whatever sentiment they may have. During the initial deliberations in the committee hearing, Pastor Quiboloy also sent a lawyer, and this argument that he has no involvement and is no longer part of SMNI is not new,” Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez noted that after multiple deliberations, the committee deemed it necessary to extend an invitation to Quiboloy.
Gutierrez emphasized the importance of Quiboloy’s presence to clarify conflicting statements and provide a clearer timeline of events regarding SMNI’s management.
Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Lordan Suan underscored Quiboloy’s appearance’s paramount importance before the committee to ensure members can make “informed decisions.”
“I think it’s important to remember that the power to compel attendance is very important for the House of Representatives in order to make effective and wise judgments regarding the legislation it aims to make,” Suan said.
SMNI faces potential legislative franchise revocation due to multiple violations, such as spreading fake news, involvement in red-tagging, and committing serious corporate offenses.
Minimal implications
The recent appointment of former president Rodrigo R. Duterte as the administrator of assets and properties belonging to televangelist Apollo Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) has generated limited concerns among legislators, with suggestions that the move may have minimal implications.
Gutierrez acknowledged the former president’s new role but expressed uncertainty regarding any substantial implications, particularly in light of ongoing congressional inquiries involving Quiboloy, KOJC, and the broadcast network SMNI.
“Of course, there’s very little prohibition for a former president. As a private person, [he is] free to take on any role that may be offered to him,” Gutierrez said.
“Regarding the question of any implications, I would say there probably aren’t any. Our inquiry here in the House continues, and we don’t see any effect from that, which remains to be seen. We don’t know in what manner an administrator will be participating, but our inquiry continues,” he added.
For his part, Suarez said Quiboloy has the right to appoint the former president as administrator of his assets.
Just like Gutierrez, Suarez downplayed any significant implications of the appointment, emphasizing the need for due process and adherence to legal procedures in addressing pertinent issues concerning the assets in question.