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 

“We are only human, we may change our decisions. In the end, bottom line is to do the right thing."

This was what Sen. JV Ejercito said Friday to justify the withdrawal of his objection to a Senate panel's contempt ruling against Kingdom of Jesus Christ’s Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. 

Ejercito was one of the five senators who initially signed a written objection to the contempt ruling. He later withdrew his signature on Wednesday afternoon.  

The  senator said he signed the motion due to “procedural practicality,” given the Department of Justice’s announcement that it would file cases against Quibiloy.

But Ejercito said he talked to a “general based in Davao” who advised him to support the continuation of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality’s investigation on Quiboloy.

“May information, may mga allegations. So parang sabi ko siguro maganda na rin marinig mismo, kaya nga I decided also to withdraw. Para nga well both ways, para both sides maririnig natin. Si Pastor Quiboloy mabigyan ng chance,” Ejercito said. 

(There are allegations. I though it would be better if we hear both sides. Pastro Quiboloy will get the chance to air his side.)

"Also itong allegations kasi medyo disturbing, especially it’s Women’s Month. So lalo na 'pag rape, kapag ganitong tawag doon, molestation eh siguro dapat din mapakinggan natin especially now that we are celebrating Women’s Month kailangan siguro matuloy na rin yung investigation," he added.

(The allegations are disturbing, especially since it’s Women’s Month. We should look into allegations like rape and molestation, so perhaps it's necessary for the investigation to continue.) 

Ejercito denied withdrawing his signature due to online criticisms.  

“Wala namang masama dun kung iko-correct mo sarili mo eh kung magbago ka ng desisyon. We are all human. And public perception is secondary. What is important is knowing the right thing ‘di ba. So tao lang naman po tayo eh nagbabago rin isip natin, there are certain factors," he said in a virtual interview with reporters.

"I did not withdraw because of bashing. Sanay na sanay na ako diyan. It’s a matter of doing the right thing,” he said.

(There is nothing wrong with correcting yourself. We are human, we change our minds. I'm already used to bashing.)

4 senators sign 'written objection' on Quiboloy contempt order

Ejercito said has talked to Sen. Robin Padilla, who was pushing for the motion against Quiboloy's contempt ruling. 

In a statement, Padilla said: “Desisyon ni Sen JV yun. Nirerespeto natin yun." 

(That is Sen. JV's decision. We respect that.)

Sen. Imee Marcos, who is backing Padilla's motion, acknowledged it would be difficult to get the signatures of at least 8 of the 14 committee members.

The panel’s regular members include its chairperson Sen. Risa Hontiveros, vice chairperson Sen. Nancy Binay, and Senators Pia Cayetano, Cynthia Villar, Grace Poe, Marcos, Padilla, Raffy Tulfo, Christopher Go, JV Ejercito, and Mark Villar. 

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.

VIRTUAL APPEARANCE 

Quiboloy has denied that he sexually abused female personal assistants or "pastorals", saying the women made up the accusations because he rejected them.

"Ako po ay hindi nag-asawa. Ngayon inaakusahan ako ng napakaraming babae. Eto po ang kasalanan ko. Pinayaman ako ng Panginoon. Akala nila sa akin, single ako, kaya pinag-aagawan ako. Pagkatapos na ako'y maghihinde, mapapahiya, ibabaliktad nila sa akin. 'Yan ang tinatawag kong Potiphar's wife syndrome," he said.

Marcos urges Quiboloy: Face Senate, House hearings

For Ejercito, it will be better if Hontiveros allows Quiboloy to appear virtually for security considerations.

“Unang-una alam naman natin it’s sensitive syempre religious group ‘yan. Anything, hindi natin alam kung anong mangyayari, and at the same time yung mga OSAA (Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms personnel) natin alam naman natin marami doon medyo senior na rin,” Ejercito pointed out.

“Kaya lang sabi ni Senator Risa, sinuggest din namin, bakit hindi na lang natin i-online, para mawala na itong security issues? Sabi naman ni Senator Risa, ‘Well, we can talk about that, we can consider that' ...as long as Pastor Quiboloy recognizes the committee. Sabi nya, i-recognize nya, then probably we can go hybrid,” he added.

THE ‘ANOINTED SON OF GOD’ 

Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, in a separate interview, said the investigation was “becoming political already.”

“Andiyan naman ‘yung kaso, kung mag-file ka ng kaso, ewan ko kung nag-file ba ng kaso ‘yung mga complainant. Nag-file ba ng kaso sa korte?” Dela Rosa said.

The senator, who is not a member of the committee, admitted that he looked up to Quiboloy as a religious person.

“Suffice it to say that I look up to him as the anointed son of God and being a co-Davaoeño, I have high respects to him as a renowned spiritual leader. I can not claim na malalim ang aming samahan because I’ve known him long before he knew me kasi noon hanggang tingin lang ako sa kanya,” he said.

Asked if he shared the sentiment of Sen. Cynthia Villar that allegations of rape, human trafficking and other forms of human rights abuse being hurled against Quiboloy were not believable, Dela Rosa said: “Tao lang tayo, ‘di ba? Nobody’s perfect, ‘no? Tao tayo, pwede tayong magkamali. Andiyan, andiyan ‘yan lahat ng posibilidad habang tayo’y tao.”

“Pero kung sabihin ninyo na ‘yung impression ko sa kanya, ang impression ko sa kanya ay respetado siyang tao at hindi niya kayang gawin ‘yung mga gano’n na kababuyan na ina-allege sa kanya. Sa pagtingin ko lang sa kanya, ha. Hindi ko naman siya nababantayan 24 hours. Hindi naman ako nakatingin sa kanyan 24 hours pero if you ask my opinion about him, he is highly respected, ako mismo, humahanga sa kanya,” he said.

“He is the Son of God. So less expected ko sa kanya na gumawa ng gano’ng offense. If you have to ask my opinion. Opinyon ko lang ‘yan. Hindi ko naman siya na kikita 24 hours a day,” he added.

US judge orders unsealing of Quiboloy arrest warrant, indictment