4 senators sign 'written objection' on Quiboloy contempt order | ABS-CBN
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4 senators sign 'written objection' on Quiboloy contempt order
4 senators sign 'written objection' on Quiboloy contempt order
Sherrie Ann Torres,
ABS-CBN News
Published Mar 07, 2024 05:26 PM PHT
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Updated Mar 07, 2024 07:58 PM PHT
Televangelist Apollo Quiboloy. Fernando G. Sepe, Jr., ABS-CBN News/File
Televangelist Apollo Quiboloy. Fernando G. Sepe, Jr., ABS-CBN News/FileFour senators have signed a “written objection” on the contempt order sought by Senator Risa Hontiveros against televangelist Apollo Quiboloy.
Four senators have signed a “written objection” on the contempt order sought by Senator Risa Hontiveros against televangelist Apollo Quiboloy.
Senator Robin Padilla, member of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, who raised the objection during last Tuesday’s hearing, gave this update Thursday, as he races against time to get the required eight signatures to reverse the contempt order.
Senator Robin Padilla, member of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, who raised the objection during last Tuesday’s hearing, gave this update Thursday, as he races against time to get the required eight signatures to reverse the contempt order.
The four signatory senators are:
The four signatory senators are:
- Robin Padilla
- Imee Marcos
- Cynthia Villar
- Bong Go
- Robin Padilla
- Imee Marcos
- Cynthia Villar
- Bong Go
Padilla said he talked to Senators Grace Poe and Raffy Tulfo, but both refused to sign the written objection.
Padilla said he talked to Senators Grace Poe and Raffy Tulfo, but both refused to sign the written objection.
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He is also reaching out to other committee members, namely: Senators Pia Cayetano; Mark Villar; Joel Villanueva, Nancy Binay and Loren Legarda.
He is also reaching out to other committee members, namely: Senators Pia Cayetano; Mark Villar; Joel Villanueva, Nancy Binay and Loren Legarda.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III will side with Hontiveros, Padilla added.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III will side with Hontiveros, Padilla added.
“Si Senator Mark, mga 2 araw na namin kinokontak pero di pa namin makontak. Sana kausapin siya ni SCV, mabawasan ako ng ano," he said.
“Si Senator Mark, mga 2 araw na namin kinokontak pero di pa namin makontak. Sana kausapin siya ni SCV, mabawasan ako ng ano," he said.
Padilla has only until March 12 to complete the required eight signatures of committee members.
Padilla has only until March 12 to complete the required eight signatures of committee members.
“Kailangan ko pa ng three. May mga nakausap na ako na sa mga napakagandang paliwanag nila, tinatanggap ko na hindi sila pumirma. At 'yan ang mga bagay na ikinatutuwa at ikinalulungkot. Siyempre ikinatuwa dahil buhay ang demokrasya sa Senado. Nalulungkot dahil hindi ko pa nakukuha ang 8 boto hanggang sa ngayon,” Padilla told journalists.
“Kailangan ko pa ng three. May mga nakausap na ako na sa mga napakagandang paliwanag nila, tinatanggap ko na hindi sila pumirma. At 'yan ang mga bagay na ikinatutuwa at ikinalulungkot. Siyempre ikinatuwa dahil buhay ang demokrasya sa Senado. Nalulungkot dahil hindi ko pa nakukuha ang 8 boto hanggang sa ngayon,” Padilla told journalists.
“Personal akong tumatawag, personal akong humihingi kahit 5 minutes doon sa mga member. Meron pa akong bukas, Sabado, Linggo. Sana mabigyan tayo ng mga hindi pa nagsasabi ng hindi sila pipirma,” he added.
“Personal akong tumatawag, personal akong humihingi kahit 5 minutes doon sa mga member. Meron pa akong bukas, Sabado, Linggo. Sana mabigyan tayo ng mga hindi pa nagsasabi ng hindi sila pipirma,” he added.
The senator claimed he is not siding with Quiboloy out of friendship, but because he has seen the religious leader help people as well as assist the government in fighting the CPP-NPA.
The senator claimed he is not siding with Quiboloy out of friendship, but because he has seen the religious leader help people as well as assist the government in fighting the CPP-NPA.
“Ang sarili kong dahilan para sa akin, naging biktima si Pastor kasi nilabanan niya ang NPA. 'Yan ang sarili ko. Hindi deserve para sa mga mata ko na ang isang taong tingin kong bayani sa pakikipaglaban niya sa komunista na naging kasama ko e ganitong klase papayagan ko maiskandalo? Teka muna, nasaan ang utang na loob natin sa serbisyo ng taong ito na inalay niya sa paglaban sa komunista?” he claimed.
“Ang sarili kong dahilan para sa akin, naging biktima si Pastor kasi nilabanan niya ang NPA. 'Yan ang sarili ko. Hindi deserve para sa mga mata ko na ang isang taong tingin kong bayani sa pakikipaglaban niya sa komunista na naging kasama ko e ganitong klase papayagan ko maiskandalo? Teka muna, nasaan ang utang na loob natin sa serbisyo ng taong ito na inalay niya sa paglaban sa komunista?” he claimed.
He also dismissed speculation that somebody ordered him to object and protect Quiboloy.
He also dismissed speculation that somebody ordered him to object and protect Quiboloy.
Padilla is from the PDP-Laban party, which is being chaired by former President Rodrigo Duterte, an ally of Quiboloy.
Padilla is from the PDP-Laban party, which is being chaired by former President Rodrigo Duterte, an ally of Quiboloy.
“Kasi ang position ng aming chairman sa PDP Laban pumunta si PACQ. Sabi niya 'yan ang position ni FPRRD. Magkaiba sa position namin. So wala akong sinunod na may nag-utos sa akin. Naman. Rebolusyonaryo, utusan lang? Sayang naman ang bigote ko. Di ako utusan ng kahit na sino,” he said.
“Kasi ang position ng aming chairman sa PDP Laban pumunta si PACQ. Sabi niya 'yan ang position ni FPRRD. Magkaiba sa position namin. So wala akong sinunod na may nag-utos sa akin. Naman. Rebolusyonaryo, utusan lang? Sayang naman ang bigote ko. Di ako utusan ng kahit na sino,” he said.
FREE AIRTIME, FREE USE OF HELICOPTER
Padilla, however, admitted getting help from Quiboloy when he was running for senator after the later gave him free airtime on SMNI to promote his candidacy.
Padilla, however, admitted getting help from Quiboloy when he was running for senator after the later gave him free airtime on SMNI to promote his candidacy.
He said Quiboloy also allowed him free use of his helicopter.
He said Quiboloy also allowed him free use of his helicopter.
Asked what help Quiboloy first gave him, Padilla said: “Una ang dasal.”
Asked what help Quiboloy first gave him, Padilla said: “Una ang dasal.”
“Doon sa channel niya sa SMNI nabigyan ako ng airtime na wala akong binabayaran. 'Yung mga panahong walang tumutulong sa akin dahil ako naman ay walang pera sa kampanya wala akong pambayad ng helicopter. May pera ako para sa anak ko, di ko gastusin sa pulitika. Ang helicopter pinahiram niya sa akin, ang mga ganoong klaseng pabor,” he said.
“Doon sa channel niya sa SMNI nabigyan ako ng airtime na wala akong binabayaran. 'Yung mga panahong walang tumutulong sa akin dahil ako naman ay walang pera sa kampanya wala akong pambayad ng helicopter. May pera ako para sa anak ko, di ko gastusin sa pulitika. Ang helicopter pinahiram niya sa akin, ang mga ganoong klaseng pabor,” he said.
The senator alleged there is an apparent violation in the “separation of church and state” clause in the 1987 Constitution by going after Quiboloy.
The senator alleged there is an apparent violation in the “separation of church and state” clause in the 1987 Constitution by going after Quiboloy.
“Ang aking paniniwala dito, ito ay nasa DOJ na. Hindi naman siguro kalabisan hingin natin sa ating kasama na 2 sangay ng government pa ang gagawa ng imbestigasyon. May judiciary, meron pang House, meron pang Senate. Parang ano 'yan. Sa resources ng government, parang doon na sa isang, parang masyadong magastos sa aking palagay,” Padilla explained.
“Ang aking paniniwala dito, ito ay nasa DOJ na. Hindi naman siguro kalabisan hingin natin sa ating kasama na 2 sangay ng government pa ang gagawa ng imbestigasyon. May judiciary, meron pang House, meron pang Senate. Parang ano 'yan. Sa resources ng government, parang doon na sa isang, parang masyadong magastos sa aking palagay,” Padilla explained.
“Pagka inisip ko kapag ito ay pinag-usapan natin palalimin natin ng palalimin, umaabot sa iskandalo, para sa akin malinaw na ano ba ito, sa Constitution natin meron talagang paghihiwalay ng estado at religion. Dito sa nakikita ko, pagka nagpatuloy sa ganitong proseso parang sinasaklawan na natin, magkakaroon ba tayo ng panukala na sasagasaan natin ang religion? Sana maintindihan natin na itong kasong ito, hindi ito usapin lang ng isang tao. Ito ay usapin ng isang pananampalataya. Mahalagang ilagay natin, huwag natin ialis ang usapin na 'yan sapagka’t meron tayo sa Constitution paghiwalay ng religion at estado,” he added.
“Pagka inisip ko kapag ito ay pinag-usapan natin palalimin natin ng palalimin, umaabot sa iskandalo, para sa akin malinaw na ano ba ito, sa Constitution natin meron talagang paghihiwalay ng estado at religion. Dito sa nakikita ko, pagka nagpatuloy sa ganitong proseso parang sinasaklawan na natin, magkakaroon ba tayo ng panukala na sasagasaan natin ang religion? Sana maintindihan natin na itong kasong ito, hindi ito usapin lang ng isang tao. Ito ay usapin ng isang pananampalataya. Mahalagang ilagay natin, huwag natin ialis ang usapin na 'yan sapagka’t meron tayo sa Constitution paghiwalay ng religion at estado,” he added.
Padilla said the Senate’s investigation on Quiboloy can no longer be considered as an action “in aid of legislation.”
Padilla said the Senate’s investigation on Quiboloy can no longer be considered as an action “in aid of legislation.”
Tulfo, in a statement said: “Bilang Chairman din ng iba’t ibang komite, iginagalang ko ang desisyon at paninindigan ni Sen. Risa Hontiveros na Chairperson ng Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.”
Tulfo, in a statement said: “Bilang Chairman din ng iba’t ibang komite, iginagalang ko ang desisyon at paninindigan ni Sen. Risa Hontiveros na Chairperson ng Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.”
“Sa kabilang banda, karapatan naman ng mga miyembro ng anupamang komite na magkaroon ng salungat na paniniwala,” he added.
“Sa kabilang banda, karapatan naman ng mga miyembro ng anupamang komite na magkaroon ng salungat na paniniwala,” he added.
The office of Senator Mark Villar said they have “no comment” at this time.
The office of Senator Mark Villar said they have “no comment” at this time.
Go, meanwhile, has yet to reply to media queries regarding his stand on the issue.
Go, meanwhile, has yet to reply to media queries regarding his stand on the issue.
Other members of the committee have yet to reply on the same matter.
Other members of the committee have yet to reply on the same matter.
JV EJERCITO WITHDRAWS SIGNATURE
Senator JV Ejercito was among those who initially signed the objection, but later withdrew his signature.
Senator JV Ejercito was among those who initially signed the objection, but later withdrew his signature.
"Initially, I made the decision to sign the objection letter, initiated by Sen. Robinhood Padilla on the contempt ruling of Sen. Risa Hontiveros against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, in consideration of procedural practicality," he said in a statement.
"Initially, I made the decision to sign the objection letter, initiated by Sen. Robinhood Padilla on the contempt ruling of Sen. Risa Hontiveros against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, in consideration of procedural practicality," he said in a statement.
"This was based on the fact the Department of Justice has already pursued charges of sexual abuse and qualified trafficking against Pastor Quiboloy."
"This was based on the fact the Department of Justice has already pursued charges of sexual abuse and qualified trafficking against Pastor Quiboloy."
Ejercito said he changed his mind after reviewing the available information regarding Quiboloy's case.
Ejercito said he changed his mind after reviewing the available information regarding Quiboloy's case.
"After careful review of the facts, witness testimonies, and additional information, such as the allegations of rape during the last committee hearing, I have decided to withdraw my signature today," he said.
"After careful review of the facts, witness testimonies, and additional information, such as the allegations of rape during the last committee hearing, I have decided to withdraw my signature today," he said.
"Furthermore, my consultations have revealed strong precedents indicating that ongoing cases can still be heard and investigated in the Senate. This means Pastor Quiboloy will get an opportunity to present his side."
"Furthermore, my consultations have revealed strong precedents indicating that ongoing cases can still be heard and investigated in the Senate. This means Pastor Quiboloy will get an opportunity to present his side."
"Rest assured that the Senate will ensure fairness throughout the proceedings."
"Rest assured that the Senate will ensure fairness throughout the proceedings."
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