Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Friday asserted that the Philippines has a clear legal basis to temporarily surrender Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy to the United States under the PH-US Extradition Treaty.
She cited Article 11 of the treaty, which allows a person facing prosecution or serving a sentence in the country to be surrendered abroad for trial and later returned to continue facing local charges.
“Kahit may kaso siya dito, pwede pa rin siyang dalhin sa Amerika para harapin muna ang mga kaso doon, at pagkatapos ng paglilitis ay ibalik sa Pilipinas para panagutin sa mga krimen dito,” Hontiveros said.
She stressed that Quiboloy’s alleged victims in the US have waited far too long for justice.
“Hindi rin tama na patagalin pa ang kanilang laban,” she added.
Hontiveros accused Quiboloy of exploiting his influence to evade accountability, citing attempts to intimidate witnesses and skip Senate hearings. She emphasized that a temporary surrender would ensure that Philippine cases remain active while also aiding US victims.
“Nakakasiguro ang Pilipinas na hindi mawawala ang ating mga kaso, at natutulungan din natin ang mga biktima sa Amerika,” she said.
The US government formally requested Quiboloy’s extradition earlier this year in connection with a 2021 indictment filed in California, which includes sex trafficking of minors, fraud, and bulk cash smuggling.