The Name Above Every Name, Inc. founder and leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy during a pre-recorded TV interview of the Sonshine Media Network International in Davao City aired on March 12, 2022. Roemari Lismonero, Presidential Photo/File 

Leaders of the House of Representatives on Monday appealed to Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to face its investigation into the alleged franchise violations of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), a media outlet associated with him.

Quiboloy's lawyers earlier wrote the House Committee on Legislative Franchises investigation to refer it to other individuals, saying the preacher does not have the information the panel wants.

"I think Pastor Quiboloy has to respect the legislative process of Congress. He was invited and he was asked to present himself so that he can clarify issues," Deputy Speaker David Suarez said in a press conference.

"I don't think the pastor has anything to fear. I mean this is a legislative franchise committee hearing, we have done this in the past many times."

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Lordan Suan said the attendance of resource persons was necessary "so that we (lawmakers) will have informed decisions."

"All he has to do is appear and explain to the committee on ano po talaga yung timeline ng events doon sa SMNI and maybe from then we will have a clearer picture kung paano po talaga mina-manage yung SMNI," added 1Rider party-list Rep. Ramon Rordigo Gutierrez. 

(All he has to do is appear and explain to the committee the timeline of events in  SMNI and maybe from there we will have a clearer picture how SMNI is managed.)

The lawmakers meanwhile saw nothing wrong with Quiboloy's designation of former President Rodrigo Duterte as administration of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) properties. 

"Karapatan naman po ni Pastor Quiboloy yun na italaga ang ating dating pangulo bilang administrador ng KOJC. Naniniwala po ako na bilang dating pangulo siya po ay magsisibling daan upang siguraduhin na kung anuman po ang mga legal processes na kakailanganin natin upang malaman ang mga questions of law that is now being faced by KOJC Swara Sug and all the other assets will be available to the committee," Suarez said. 

(It is Quiboloy's right to name the former president as administrator and I believe the former president can make sure legal processes are observed and all questions of law being faced by KOJC and Swara Sug and other assets will be available to the committee.)

"Of course there are very little prohibitions po to a former president. As a private person, they are free to take on any roles that may be offered to him and we welcome and we respect that po," Gutierrez said. 

(As a private person, they are free to take on any roles that may be offered to them and we welcome and we respect that.)

Lawyers Ferdinand Topacio, Joselito Lomangaya and Raphael Antonio Andrada wrote Committee Chair Gustavo Tambunting in response to the subpoena the panel issued for Quiboloy in connection with the congressional investigation on the alleged violations of the broadcast franchise of Swara Sug Media Corporation, which operates SMNI.

"It is important, however, to clarify that Pastor Quiboloy has not been involved in the management and operations of Sonshine Media Network International since the last quarter of 2018, and in fact was therefore definitely no longer such when the franchise of SMNI was renewed in 22 August 2019," the lawyers said. 

They added that the Securities and Exchange Commission was informed of his replacement by Marlon Acobo as Executive Pastor in a filing in December 2022, as reflected in the amended Articles of Incorporation released in January 2023.

 "Thereafter, the only title, (if one may call it that) that PACQ has continued to hold in SMNI is that of 'Honorary Chairman' which as the name implies, is purely honorific in character," they said.

The lawyers instead refer the panel to Acobo and Atty. Eunice Ambrocio and Maria Norfelly Marimon whom the lawyers say will have all the information and documents required by the panel. 

'Honorary' SMNI chair Quiboloy has no info House panel needs

Tambunting declined to comment specifically on the letter but he reiterated that the subpoena is "personal" to Quiboloy.

"We cannot comment on the said Letter dated March 8 2024 since the Committee, as of today, has not received any correspondence related to our subpoena for Pastor Quiboloy," Tambunting said in a text message. 

"We reiterate that the subpoena previously issued is personal to Pastor Quiboloy. It is within the discretion of Congress to subpoena the particular persons who would best answer the questions posed in the inquiry."

The committee resumes its hearing on March 12. It is also tackling a bill revoking the congressional franchise of Swara Sug Media Corporation.

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