Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy’s plea to suspend proceedings and hold in abeyance the issuance of a warrant of arrest, in connection with the non-bailable qualified human trafficking charges filed against him has been denied by a Pasig Regional Trial Court.
Acting Presiding Judge Rainelda H. Estacio-Montesa of Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 159 made this ruling on April 11: “After consideration of the arguments brought forth by the parties, the court finds the Motion to Defer/Suspend Proceedings and Hold in Abeyance Issuance of Warrant of Arrest to be a prohibited motion and should therefore be denied.”
Quiboloy earlier asked the Pasig City RTC to defer and suspend its proceedings on the human trafficking case against him “pending the resolution by the Secretary of Justice of their Motion for Reconsideration.”
The Pasig RTC, however, said that the reason cited by Quiboloy is not a ground for suspending the arraignment under Section 11, Rule 116 of the Rules of the Court.
The order reads: “Clearly, from the foregoing, there is no basis for this court to suspend the proceedings by reason of the filing of a motion for reconsideration on the Resolution of the petition for review before the Department of Justice as this is not one of the grounds stated under Section 11, Rule 116 of the Rules on Criminal Procedure.”
The RTC also said, “This court, after personally examining the information and its supporting document, finds probable cause for the arrest of all the accused. Let warrants of arrest be issued against them.”
The Pasig City court stressed that it cannot desist from acting on the case in the absence of any restraining order or writ of preliminary injunction issued by the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court.
Aside from Quiboloy, also subject of the arrest warrant are Jackielyn W. Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid C. Canada and Sylvia Cemañes.
Earlier on Thursday, Quiboloy’s lawyer, Israelito Torreo, said the religious leader “is still in the Philippine territory” as authorities try to locate him due to a standing arrest warrant.
As such, the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” is currently considered a fugitive.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crisipin Remulla lauded the decision of the Pasig City RTC, saying the issued warrants of arrest against Quiboloy “herald the efficiency of [the] criminal justice system.”
Remulla explained that these arrest warrants “echo the strong resolve of the State and our society to hold accountable individuals who transgress the Rule of Law, regardless of their social status or wealth.”
Last month, the DOJ announced the filing of qualified human trafficking charges under Section 4 (a) of Republic Act 9208, as amended, against Quiboloy before Pasig City RTC Branch 159. No bail was recommended.
Also filed before the Davao Court are charges under Section 5(b) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and under Section 10(a) of the same act.
In the Davao case, the bail was set at P180,000 for sexual assault and P80,000 for maltreatment according to prosecutors.
On the strength of arrest orders issued by the Senate and a Davao Court, authorities visited on Wednesday the properties owned by Quiboloy.
A Senate hearing was conducted on the alleged human trafficking and sexual abuse of some members of Quiboloy’s KOJC. Meanwhile, a House hearing is tackling issues against the renewal of the franchise of Quiboloy’s Sonshine Media Network Inc.
Last March, a California court ordered the unsealing of the arrest warrants against Quiboloy and his co-accused on charges of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, coercion, sex trafficking of children, conspiracy, and cash smuggling.
Quiboloy remains wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is suspected to be in the Philippines.
On this note, Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa believes that the embattled Pastor Apollo Quiboloy has gone into hiding, but not in Davao.
The former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said if Quiboloy has any intention to hide, Davao would be the last place he would think of hiding as it would be easy for authorities to locate and arrest him.
“But he is not limited to Davao only. The Philippines is big. If he has an intention to hide, why in Davao?”
Davao is the known haven of the leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC). It is the bulwark wherein his staunch supporters and followers can be found.
Dela Rosa noted that if Quiboloy wants to hide from authorities, there are other places to which he can go.
“We know many fugitives who are being hunted by the government. It took them a long time to catch these fugitives since the Philippines is so big,” said the top cop-turned politician.
He also admitted it will be difficult to catch Quiboloy if indeed he has gone into hiding. Many Davaoenos have said that they are not aware of the religious leaders’ whereabouts. Dela Rosa added that he is not certain if Quiboloy has left the country.
His advice to Quiboloy remains the same: “Surrender and face the music.”
Speaking to ANC, the camp of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy on Thursday said they would file a motion before the Davao City Regional Trial Court to quash the warrant of arrest against him.
Last week, the Davao City Regional Trial Court Branch 12 issued a warrant of arrest against Quiboloy for child abuse and sexual abuse cases.
Torreon argued that the Department of Justice violated Quiboloy’s right to speedy resolution of cases as it had allegedly “allowed more than four years for the complainant to prove his case.”