Quiboloy files libel raps vs. Hontiveros, lawmakers

Detained pastor Apollo Quiboloy has filed libel complaints against Senator Risa Hontiveros and House lawmakers Akbayan Partylist Representative Perci Cendaña and ML Partylist Representative Leila de Lima. The lawmakers confirmed the complaints in separate statements. Hontiveros, who oversaw the Senate hearings that brought forward Quiboloy’s alleged victims, said that she was not afraid of anything, adding that Quiboloy should face the cases filed against him instead of trying to turn the discussion on its head. Quiboloy is accused of heavy crimes such as human trafficking, sexual abuse and child abuse, said Hontiveros. “Ang dapat nating protektahan ay ang mga biktima at kababayan nating naglakas-loob magsalita at lumantad laban kay Quiboloy. Hangga’t humihingi sila ng hustisya, tatayo ako sa tabi nila,” Hontiveros said in a statement on Thursday. (The ones we should protect are the victims and our countrymen that were brave and came forward against Quiboloy. As long as they seek justice, I stand next to them.) Meanwhile, De Lima said that the cyber libel case is misdirecting the issue. Quiboloy must answer for his crimes, she added. “Let us not waste government resources for this baseless case. Huwag na silang magkunwari na biktima siya ng cyber libel. Apollo Quiboloy is not a victim. Ipagtanggol na lang niya ang kanyang sarili sa kanyang mga kaso sa mga karumaldumal na krimen na panggagahasa at pagturing sa mga kababaihan bilang mga personal na kagamitan,” De Lima said. (Let us not waste government resources for this baseless case. They should not act like victims of cyber libel. Apollo Quiboloy is not a victim. He should defend himself from his grievous crimes such as rape and treating women like personal objects.) Cendaña said that it was an “honor” to be named alongside Hontiveros and De Lima in Quiboloy’s suit. “Hindi kami titigil na ipaglaban ang katarungan para sa mga biktima ng kahayupan ni Quiboloy,” Cendaña said in a Facebook post. (We will not stop fighting for justice for the victims of Quiboloy’s depravity.) In a statement on Thursday, the Akbayan Partylist called the charges “laughable.” “Quiboloy enjoys being called all sorts of ridiculous things, but not things grounded in facts. Akbayan stands by the victims’ testimonies and the legal records in the Philippines and the United States,” the partylist said. Quiboloy is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail Male Dormitory facing charges of qualified human trafficking and sexual abuse. He is also wanted by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation for sex trafficking charges and fraud, with Washington already filing an extradition request to gain custody of the televangelist. GMA News has reached out to Quiboloy’s counsel for a statement. — BM, GMA News