NATION

Sara Duterte says probe vs Quiboloy is ‘trial by

publicity’
By: Zacarian Sarao - Reporter / @zacariansINQ

INQUIRER.net / 11:45 AM March 12, 2024

Vice President Sara Duterte (left) calls a mere “trial by publicity” the ongoing
investigation of alleged sex offender and televangelist Apollo Quiboloy. |
PHOTOS: Official facebook page of Inday Sara Duterte and official X account
of Apollo Quiboloy

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte branded as a mere “trial

by publicity” the ongoing investigation of alleged sex offender and
televangelist Apollo Quiboloy.

According to her, the inquiry is a form of “violence,” which she claimed many
believe is “unfair.” Duterte said accusations against the self-proclaimed
“Appointed Son of God” should instead be brought to court.

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“Ako po ay nakikiisa sa panawagan ng pagpapairal ng batas at katarungan sa

hinaharap na isyu ni Pastor Apollo Quiboloy at ng [SMNI],” Duterte said in a
video-recorded statement aired on Quiboloy-linked Sonshine Media Network
International (SMNI) on Monday night.

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(I am expressing my solidarity with the call for law enforcement and justice in
the issue involving Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and SMNI.)

READ: Hontiveros finds ‘Quiboloy conditions’ absurd

“Sa mga ginagawang pagdinig ay tila pinatawan na ng guilty verdict si Pastor

Quiboloy, kahit na nakabatay lamang ang pagdinig na ito sa mga paratang ng
mga testigo na nagkukubli ng kanilang katauhan at hindi mapatunayan ang
kredibilidad,” she added.

(In the ongoing hearings, it seems that Pastor Quiboloy has already been
presumed guilty, even though these hearings rely solely on the accusations of
witnesses who hide their identities, and the credibility of their claims cannot be
proven.)

Duterte, daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is now the

caretaker of Quiboloy’s assets, made these pronouncements as Senator Risa
Hontiveros proposed the issuance of an arrest order against the founder of
the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) for skipping the hearings of her panel.
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Hontiveros, as chair of the Senate committee on women, children, family

relations and gender equality, has been conducting an inquiry into Quiboloy’s
alleged crimes, such as rape and abuse.

“Lagi po tayong manalangin para sa hustisya at katotohanan. Justice and the

truth cannot be achieved in trial by publicity, but by a day in court,” the Vice
President also said.

(Let us always pray for justice and truth. Justice and the truth cannot be
achieved through trial by publicity but through a fair day in court.)

On SMNI, Duterte said its ongoing suspension case is a “media freedom

issue.” The National Telecommunications Commission suspended SMNI over
alleged franchise violations.

Before her video-recorded message aired late Monday night, reporters had
asked Duterte for her comment on the Quiboloy probe through the Office of
the Vice President but received no response, even as of this posting.

Quiboloy is currently being investigated in the Senate over allegations that he

abused women and children.

He is also facing several criminal charges in the United States, including

Conspiracy to Engage in Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion, and
Sex Trafficking of Children; Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, and Coercion;
Conspiracy; and Bulk Cash Smuggling.

Quiboloy is a known ally of the Dutertes. During a hearing of the Senate

panel, a former KJC member claimed he saw ex-president Duterte and Sara
Duterte visit Quiboloy’s property and then leave carrying a bag of firearms.

Both father and daughter, however, have since denied this accusation.