By Brian Jules Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday urged Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to face both the House of the Representatives and the Senate and answer about the alleged abuses against him.
Marcos made the remark in an interview with reporters after his departure speech at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, advising Quiboloy to attend the hearings and “say his side of the story”.
“The best way to defuse that situation for him is to testify before the committees in the House and in the Senate,” the President said.
The Chief Executive also denied the controversial pastor’s claim that he and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos are conniving with the United States government to assassinate him.
“Walang may gustong mag-assassinate sa kaniya…why would anyone want him dead? Hindi ko naiintindihan ‘yung sinasabi niya,” Marcos told reporters.
President Marcos likewise clarified that the cases against Quiboloy were filed before he came into power, warning that his situation would only get worse if he continues to skip the hearings as he could be cited in contempt.
“That’s why my advice for him is to just face the questioning in the House and in the Senate. Marinig natin ang kaniyang side para malaman natin kung ano ba talagang nangyayari dito,” Marcos said.
“We’re trying to be fair here and allowing him an opportunity and fora to make his case. So, I think he should take advantage of that,” he added.
Back in 2021, the preacher along with his associates were indicted by a federal grand jury in Santa Ana, California for crimes involving sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, sex trafficking of children, and bulk cash smuggling among other cases. – avds
