Senator finds Quiboloy denials 'unbelievable'

For Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the "blanket denials" by detained alleged sex offender pastor Apollo Quiboloy that he raped women and children for their spiritual salvation were plainly unbelievable.

- MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB

Hontiveros said Quiboloy merely invoked his right against self-incrimination, when confronted by his victims and former followers with allegations that he took advantage of them to satisfy his lust and raise funds for his lavish lifestyle as head of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. (KOJC) that he founded.

After months in hiding, Quiboloy was arrested and made to attend a hearing of the Senate committee on women and children last Oct. 23, where he denied forcing members into servitude.

“He called it a sham Senate investigation, and yet when he was given a chance to confront our brave victim survivors, he only invoked his right to remain silent,” Hontiveros told The Philippine STAR editor-in-chief Ana Marie Pamintuan, host of the publication’s online show “Truth on the Line,” launched on Oct. 31.