Arrest order vs Quiboloy in effect - House panel

The order for the arrest of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOLC) pastor Apollo Quiboloy for contempt is already in effect, according to the House committee on Legislative Franchises.

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Committee vice chairman Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said the order took effect yesterday.

Pimentel said the panel had opted to hold off enforcing the arrest order upon the request of Quiboloy's legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio, who told the lawmakers he would meet with the pastor in Davao on Wednesday.

But the panel, Pimentel said, changed its mind after Topacio failed to give them an update on the meeting.

"As expected, no feedback (from Topacio). I knew from the very beginning it was just a delaying tactic," Pimentel said.

Topacio told "Storycon" on Cignal TV's One News on Thursday that he and Quiboloy's legal team met with the pastor in the Davao highlands on Wednesday, during which they discussed his "options" amid his possible arrest.

Citing lawyer-client privilege, Topacio declined to say what the options are.

The panel cited Quiboloy in contempt and ordered his arrest after  the self-proclaimed "appointed son of God" failed to appear at several hearings of the panel on the alleged franchise violations of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), the broadcasting arm of his group.

The committee was hearing SMNI's franchise violations, including spreading fake news, red tagging and non-compliance with corporate rules.

The committee had conducted six hearings since November 2023 until last Tuesday when it voted to revoke SMNI's congressional franchise.

In a letter dated March 6, Topacio asked committee chair and Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting to invite other SMNI officials instead of Quiboloy, claiming that the sect leader could not provide them with the information they need.

Topacio claimed that Quiboloy was no longer holding any official position with SMNI.