Pastor Apollo Quiboly in Luneta, May 7, 2016.  Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News/File  

Sen. Imee Marcos said Wednesday she would solicit signatures to overrule a Senate panel's contempt ruling against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy.

Marcos is one of the 11 regular members of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, chaired by opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros.

The panel’s other regular members include Senators Nancy Binay, Pia Cayetano, Cynthia Villar, Grace Poe, Imee Marcos, Robinhood Padilla, Raffy Tulfo, Christopher Go, JV Ejercito, and Mark Villar.

Quiboloy cited in contempt by Senate panel

The committee also has three “ex officio members”, namely Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva and Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

Hontiveros cited Quiboloy in contempt after he snubbed the Senate summons thrice.

Padilla objected to the ruling. 

“Kami ni Senator Robin (Padilla) talagang pipirma. Nagkasundo kami kagabi para pipirma kami para paatras itong contempt order. Kasi parang hindi naman s'ya tama... Mula’t-sapul tutol ako sa pagi-isyu ng subpoena,” Marcos said.

“There’s been an effort to come together in this decision... may testigo nga, narinig ko Senator Risa. Pero gayunpaman, kinakailangan pa ring bigyang-daan ang nasa korte,” she said.

Aside from her and Padilla, Marcos is looking at Senators Christopher “Bong” Go and Cynthia Villar as those who will likely support the junking of the contempt ruling against Quiboloy.

The objection, which must be put in writing, should have the signatures of at least 8 out of the 14 committee members. 

Marcos said she opposes Hontiveros' motion due to the ongoing Quiboloy investigation in the House of Representatives.

“Ayaw naman natin na kinukuyog ang mga tao. They have rights. They have the right to due process. They have the right to defend themselves, and against self-incrimination. Eh bakit hindi naman kinikilala yun... baka naman may nasa likod ng lahat ng ito,” Marcos said.

'Flight means guilt': Quiboloy urged to face Senate probe

“Siguro huminahon tayo at huwag naman nating inaapi yung tao... Bakit naman sabay-sabay? May kumukuyog ba?” she added.

For Marcos, the Senate investigation should no longer proceed since the subject of the probe is similar to what is being tried in the United States. 

“Ang problema, ang Senate hindi naman prosecutorial body. Parati tayo in aid of legislation. Talaga bang in aid of legislation ito? Yun ang pinagtatakahan ko. Do we actually need new laws? Was that really the goal?” Marcos said.

“Kaya kahit ako miyembro, ako’y naninindigan sa Committee on Women na gusto ko pa ring may due process sa bawat isa,” she added.

In a Viber exchange with ABS-CBN News, Senate Minority Leader Pimentel said Padilla’s objection was “too late” because he made the motion after the ruling of the committee chairperson.

“Late si Robin dumating sa hearing. Ang remedy ng disagree sa ruling of the chair ay nahahanap sa Section 18 of the Senate rules. Gamitin nila yon if meron silang sufficient number,” he said.

Sen. Francis Tolentino, who is not a member of the Senate Committee on Women, confirmed Marcos’s statement that there is a group trying to get the required eight signatures to reverse Hontiveros’s contempt ruling.

Padilla blocks arrest of Quiboloy

“The good Pastor Quiboloy, should, can and exhaust legal remedies, legal avenues, with the assistance of his lawyers, just like any other Filipino citizen,” Tolentino said.

According to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Padilla assured him that he could muster the “majority of the committee members to overrule the order of the chairperson." 

“I don’t want to comment at this point in time. I shall wait. He has seven days. It’s a committee matter. I cannot preempt the decision of the committee,” Zubiri said.

“Nag-usap kami kahapon. Ang sabi n'ya, he will try to raise the signatures... Let’s respect that,” he added.   

Both Hontiveros and Padilla did not respond to questions related to the Quiboloy investigation.

Other committee members did not reply to ABS-CBN News’ query regarding their stand on the issue.

The Philippine National Police (PNP), meanwhile, said it was ready to provide assistance should the Senate seek its help in serving the arrest warrant to Quiboloy.

But PNP PIO Acting Chief Col. Jean Fajardo said they were limited to the provision of security to the process server. 

-- With a report from Raya Capulong, ABS-CBN News