PASTOR Apollo C. Quiboloy’s team has taken action against a contempt order issued against him.
“We have brought the issue of the Senate’s declaration of a contempt order against Pastor to the Supreme Court,” Atty. Elvis Balayan, Legal Counsel for Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy said.
In a recent interview, Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy‘s camp approached the Supreme Court to challenge the contempt order issued by the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros.
Attorney Elvis Balayan stated that they respectfully urged the highest court to review what they deem as unfair treatment towards Pastor by the Senate panel regarding allegations of rape and abuse by so-called witnesses.
“It’s not just about the arrest but also the insistence for him to appear before the committee, the declaration of contempt against him, and all actions taken. We are questioning that before the Supreme Court,” Balayan added.
Attorney Balayan clarified that there was no merit for Pastor to participate in the Senate probe as he had already been deemed guilty according to Senator Hontiveros’ statements.
He emphasized that as the chair of the panel, Senator Hontiveros should maintain impartiality and uphold the constitutional rights of invited individuals.
Moreover, the lawyer argued that legal cases should be pursued in court rather than tarnishing Pastor’s reputation through media trials.
“Those kinds of statements fall under the jurisdiction of our courts. It’s not for the Senate to determine guilt or innocence,” Balayan stated.
Balayan asserted that Hontiveros was overstepping into the judiciary’s realm, violating the separation of powers among governmental branches.
“The hearings in the Senate are evidently visitorial and prosecutorial. Those are tasks for prosecutors, not senators. Even if we say they make laws, that’s not what’s happening,” he added.
Pastor Apollo’s camp is hoping that the Supreme Court will address their petition, aiming to restore the balance among government branches and uphold due process and equal rights for all.
“While this remains undecided, it’s quite chaotic. Various interests collide. From our standpoint, we believe that the Supreme Court will scrutinize this matter thoroughly,” he stressed.
