MANILA (UPDATED) — Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday responded to Pastor Apollo Quiboloy's recent remark against the Senate probe into the alleged abuses of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) church among its members.

In privilege speech, Hontiveros details alleged abuse in Quiboloy's KOJC

Quiboloy in an audio statement on Monday called the Hontiveros-led panel's probe a "bogus hearing" that he refuses to attend despite a subpoena issued for him to attend.

"Isa lang ang hinihingi sa inyo—ang magpakita sa Senado. Tinatawag niyong duwag ang testigong nakatakip ang mukha pero nagpasa naman ng affidavit, habang hindi kayo sumusunod sa subpoena at nagpadala lang ng audio clip. Bukas po ang Senado para sa panig niyo. Hinihintay namin kayo," Hontiveros said. 

Hontiveros insisted that the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality was merely "conducting an investigation in aid of legislation" into Quiboloy's alleged sexual abuses against former KOJC members.

The senator emphasized that Quiboloy is not untouchable, adding that high-ranking government officials have previously attended hearings called by the Senate.

Quiboloy accuses alleged rape victims of 'Potiphar's wife syndrome'

"In the past, Cabinet officials, lawmakers, an incumbent Senate President, and even a former President have submitted to Senate subpoenas and appeared as witnesses.... Hindi siya mataas pa sa presidente, sa Senado, at sa batas," Hontiveros said.

"His constitutional rights, like all witnesses, are respected," she added.

In a phone interview Monday, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio who is among Quiboloy’s legal counsel said the religious leader’s group of lawyers will still need to discuss their legal move in the face of the Senate subpoena and analyze in particular if their client’s constitutional rights are being respected.
 
“Contrary sa paniniwala ng iba, hindi absolute ang power ng Senado na mag-issue ng subpoena. At doon po sa kasong Neri na ang Senado ay hindi hukuman, hindi ito pulis, hindi ito NBI, hindi ito prosecution. Kundi ito ay isang lehislatura na dapat ang lahat ng nquires are in aid of legislation,” Topacio in a phone interview told ABS-CBN News.
 
“Titingnan namin kung itong pag-subpoena kay Pastor Quiboloy ay talagang in good faith, in aid of legislation o eto ay gagamitin lamang para siya ay siraan, hiyain sa mata ng mga tao o sya ay upasalain( alipustahin) ni Senator Risa Hointiveros,” he added.
 
Topacio said that they will ensure that Quiboloy will “have resorts to all remedies under the law,” in relation to the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Geneder Equality’s summon on March 5.
 
The Senate committee led by Hontiveros is investigating Quiboloy’s alleged human trafficking, children and women abuse activities.

The panel is set to resume its investigation on March 5.

Hontiveros warns Quiboloy: Show up in next Senate hearing or get arrested

Quiboloy has claimed that his life was in danger, citing an alleged assassination plot by the United States, which its embassy has denied. -- With a report from Sherrie Ann Torres, ABS-CBN News.

US Embassy says Quiboloy to 'face justice for heinous crimes'