Senator Risa Hontiveros and the Akbayan Party have rallied behind the victims accusing Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy of human trafficking and abuse after the detained pastor launched libel and cyberlibel complaints against three legislators.
Quiboloy’s legal team filed the suits on Thursday against Hontiveros, Akbayan Party-list Representative Perci Cendaña, and Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima.
Responding to the legal action, Hontiveros urged Quiboloy to address the grave criminal allegations against him instead of targeting his critics, reminding the public that the televangelist faces severe charges in Philippine courts and remains wanted by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation for sex trafficking and fraud.
”Siya ang itinuro ng mga biktima na nagtulak sa kanilang manlimos para siya ay yumaman. Siya ang itinurong sexual abuser ng mga babae at menor de edad,” Hontiveros stated.
The senator emphasized the need to safeguard the individuals who came forward against the religious leader despite potential risks.
”Hangga’t humihingi sila ng hustisya, tatayo ako sa tabi nila,” she added.
Akbayan dismissed Quiboloy’s legal offensive as absurd, reaffirming its support for the complainants and noting that it “stands by the victims’ testimonies and the legal records in the Philippines and the United States.”
Mocking the pastor’s claim of divine status, the party declared that “no absurd heavenly appointment can exempt anyone from earthly accountability.”
De Lima, a former senator and Justice Secretary, also denounced the complaints, describing them as a distraction from the primary criminal cases against the KOJC leader.
”Let us not waste government resources for this baseless case,” De Lima said. “Huwag na silang magkunwari na biktima siya ng cyber libel. Apollo Quiboloy is not a victim.”