By Brian Jules Campued
The Supreme Court of the Philippines (SC) on Tuesday ordered the transfer of venue of the sexual and child abuse cases against Apollo Quiboloy from the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Davao City to RTC of Quezon City.
In a statement, the SC said that pursuant to its constitutional power to order a change of venue to avoid miscarriage of justice, the court’s Second Division granted the request of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Sec. Jesus Crispin Remulla to move the venue of the two criminal charges against the embattled pastor from Mindanao to Metro Manila.
According to the SC, it found compelling reasons to justify the transfer to justify the transfer of venue as the cases involve public interest, noting that the accused is a well-known religious leader and is “influential”.
“As this could cause local biases and a strong possibility that witnesses cannot freely testify due to fear and influence of the accused, the Court found it prudent and judicious to order the transfer of the cases to Quezon City,” the high court said.
The Court directed the Davao City RTC Branch 12 to forward the entire records of the criminal cases to the Office of the Executive Judge of the Quezon City RTC within three days of notice.
Upon receipt of the records, the Quezon City RTC Executive Judge was also ordered to raffle the cases among the judges in the station.
Meanwhile, the SC also directed judges in Davao City and in other Mindanao courts – where future related cases involving Quiboloy and his co-accused may be filed – to order the transmittal of the records to the Office of the Clerk of Court the Quezon City RTC and the Metropolitan Trial Court of Quezon City.
Remulla requested the transfer of venue of the cases through a letter dated April 4, 2024.
“Considering the significance of the subject cases extends beyond the local context, touching on broader national policies, public interest, and security concerns; and the preservation of integrity of the proceedings as there is a likelihood of local biases potentially affecting the trial’s impartiality in Davao City,” the Justice secretary said. – avds
