‘Quiboloy in highlands, seeking divine guidance’

MANILA, Philippines — Pastor Apollo Quiboloy is holed up in the highlands of Davao, praying for “divine guidance” while continuing to run his Kingdom of Jesus Christ ministry, according to one of his legal counsels.

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said he and other members of a legal team met with the embattled pastor in Davao last Wednesday to discuss Quiboloy’s “options” in dealing with his possible arrest for contempt on orders of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Also discussed was the ongoing move by the House to revoke the legislative franchise of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), which Quiboloy says he no longer owns.

Topacio clarified to “Storycon” on Cignal TV’s One News yesterday that Quiboloy continues to run the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. The arrangement for former president Rodrigo Duterte to serve as administrator of the KOJC estate is “based on a contingency,” Topacio said, meaning it will kick in only if Quiboloy is unable to run the vast properties.

As estate administrator, among Duterte’s tasks will be to preserve and protect the properties from freeze orders, expropriations or forfeiture efforts, Topacio said.

Quiboloy “is not in hiding… he’s in Davao… in the prayer mountain,” the lawyer said.

“He will go on a period of prayer and contemplation to ask for divine guidance,” Topacio told Storycon. “He’s very calm. He’s assuaged by a clear conscience.”

Topacio, citing lawyer-client privilege, declined to disclose the “options” presented to Quiboloy by the legal team. Topacio also would not say if the pastor would face Congress, which is investigating accusations against him of human and sex trafficking as well as violations of the SMNI franchise.

The revocation of the franchise has been elevated to the plenary after it was approved in the House legislative franchises committee. Topacio questioned the process by which the House is moving to revoke the franchise.

 Panel chairman Rep. Gus Tambunting of Parañaque’s second district submitted House Bill 9710 for the approval of all 308 other House colleagues. Committee Report 1024 detailed and enumerated SMNI’s violations on its franchise.  

 1-Rider party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez