SENATOR Francis Tolentino has an advice for the camp of Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy.
According to Tolentino, Pastor Apollo’s camp may assert, as an excuse or reason for not attending the hearing, the amended guidelines in the conduct of committee hearings, particularly the summoning of resource persons.
He explained that before assuming the position as Chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee last December, the committee modified or amended the rules related to the conduct of committee hearings or investigations.
Among these changes is the respect given to the rights of a resource person or witness who refuses to attend the hearing.
‘’For me, I said there is a legal way for Pastor Quiboloy to approach the Senate, as seen in the Neri case in the Senate, no one can stop him. If he attends the Senate hearing, the Committee must also respect his rights. This means, do not insult him, do not treat him as guilty because determining a person’s guilt lies with the court and not with the Committee,’’ according to Sen. Francis Tolentino, Chairman, Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
Tolentino was referring to the case of former Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri, who was allowed by the Supreme Court not to attend the Senate hearing after asserting his human rights.
Tolentino, who is both a lawyer and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, emphasized the Supreme Court’s decision that the rights of resource persons should be respected.
‘‘I am not Pastor’s lawyer, but if his lawyer wants to use it, the amended Sections 16 and 18 gave them the right to file a memorandum, as we have done in past hearings. It goes back to respecting the rights of anyone. Even if it’s not Pastor, do not insult anyone who will appear before the Senate committee,’’ Sen. Tolentino said.
To recall, Risa Hontiveros warned that Pastor Apollo could face imprisonment if he does not attend the hearing regarding allegations of abuse.
