Sen. Jose Victor “JV” Ejercito took back his signature in a “manifestation” opposing a contempt order seeking the arrest of Apollo Quiboloy, self-styled pastor of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ sect.
STATEMENT
Ejercito wrote Sen. Robinhood Padilla on March 7, informing him of his change of mind to allow Quiboloy an opportunity to answer the allegations being investigated by the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.
Part of Ejercito’s letter reads:
“After thoughtful contemplation, I would like to respectfully inform you of my intention to withdraw my signature affixed in the document objecting [to] the contempt order directed towards Kingdom of Jesus Christ Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.”
Source: JV Ejercito Official Facebook page, Official Statement of Senator JV Ejercito on the reversal of the contempt citation against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, March 7, 2024
Ejercito added that “serious allegations of rape” from the March 5 hearing of the Senate committee “prompted” him to review the facts and testimonies, resulting in his withdrawal of support for the reversal of the committee’s ruling against Quiboloy.
FACT
In a press conference five hours before Ejercito withdrew his signature, Padilla named him among five senators who signed the written manifestation calling for the reversal of the contempt ruling on Quiboloy.
Ejercito said his earlier decision to sign the objection was based on the fact that the “Department of Justice (DOJ) has already pursued charges of sexual abuse and qualified trafficking against Pastor Quiboloy” and that he believed it was more appropriate for the DOJ to investigate the issue.
BACKSTORY
Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, cited Quiboloy in contempt and ruled for his arrest after the pastor skipped the March 5 hearing on allegations of human trafficking, sexual abuses and forced labor thrown at him.
Padilla, without giving a clear reason, objected to the committee ruling. Hontiveros, citing Senate rules, said that a majority of the members of a committee, in this case eight, has seven days to overturn the contempt ruling.
In his March 7 press briefing, Padilla explained that his attempt to block the contempt order on Quiboloy is a show of democracy and that he believes the allegations against Quiboloy are better tackled in court, invoking the principle of the separation of church and state.
