DoJ chief sees 'tedious' fight vs Quiboloy but hopes justice will prevail

MANILA Philippines: Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Wednesday night they expected a long-drawn court battle in the cases involving Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

«This may be a very tedious fight, but I hope justice will be completely delivered to those who deserve it,» Remulla said in a statement.

Remulla, in the same statement, welcomed the handling by the Davao City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 12 (Family Court) of the cases against Quiboloy after the Court issued an arrest warrant against the controversial preacher and five others.

Members of Akbayan Youth put up posters calling for the arrest of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy in Quezon City on Monday, March 18, 2024. PHOTOS BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE

He said he respected the independence of the court and will «let the wheels of justice move on its own.»

«Our prosecutors performed their duties excellently according to their mandate. We now leave it to the Court to do its share,» Remulla said.

In a two-page Order, the Court said it found probable cause to issue the warrant of arrrest after a judicious examination and perusal of the information.

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The trial court issued an order on March 14, 2024 finding probable cause against Quiboloy. His lawyers, however, filed a Motion to Defer/Suspend the Issuance of the Warrant due to a pending Motion for Reconsideration before the DoJ on the filing of cases against Quiboloy.

Presiding Judge Dante Baguio said he granted the motion of Quiboloy's lawyers while awaiting the DoJ's resolution on the motion for reconsideration.

«Now that more than reasonable time has lapsed, the Court has not received any resolution on the Motion for Reconsideration of the accused neither a copy of the same was furnished to the Court by the accused' counsel nor a manifestation was duly filed at the very least,» Judge Baguio added.