Press Release - Transcript of Senator Risa Hontiveros interview with Karen Davila on ANC's Headstart

Q: Senator Hontiveros, good morning to you.

Senator Risa Hontiveros (SRH): Good morning Karen

Q: Alright, so take us what can happen. Pastor Apollo Quiboloy has 48 hours. Most likely, he may not show up in the Senate, but then you may have a surprise. Let's say he doesn't reveal himself. He does not attend. What can happen?

SRH: Well, if the pastor, does not, within these two days, 48 hours, show cause, give a good reason to the Senate, for why he should not be arrested, that arrest process will be set into motion. The show cause order is dated 13th March today.

So he has, in principle, until Friday to give us a good reason why he doesn't show up, so he should not be arrested. And if he doesn't speak or give a good reason, then the Senate President who signed the show cause order will instruct the OSAA to effect the arrest.

Q: Okay. But then Quiboloy is in hiding. If the Senate instructs the arrest and he cannot be found, what happens then, Senator?

SRH: We ask the Senate President, I asked that question also about an earlier matter during one of the earlier hearings. Noon, yung issue pa lang ay subpoena. Because that was the time na he had ignored not one, but two invitations of my Senate Committee on Women. So subpoena yung pinag-uusapan namin. And someone did ask, how are we going to serve it if OSAA cannot find him?

And naitanong ko yun sa DILG. And they replied in the affirmative that yes, the PNP could be requested by the Senate to assist our Office of the Sergeant at Arms. So I believe, lalo na sa ganitong later stage ng posibleng arrest na kung hindi mahanap ng aming Senate security, pwedeng mag-request kami ng tulong ng Philippine National Police.

Q: Alright. Now, there are two hearings that are ongoing and I think it's important just to give an overview to the audience. The hearing that is going on in the lower house is regarding the franchise of SMNI. Of course, it is still associated with Apollo Quiboloy, but it has nothing to do with the hearings going on under your committee in the Senate.

SRH: That's right, because franchise bills emanate from the House. So unless and until the House transmits their completed franchise bill, well, renewal, or