LAWMAKERS have insisted on the attendance of embattled televangelist Apollo Quiboloy at the hearing of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises scheduled for Tuesday, ruling out any further excuses or delays.
“Pastor Quiboloy has to respect the legislative process of Congress. He was invited and asked to present himself so that he can clarify issues regarding the investigations being conducted by the Committee on Franchise,” Deputy Speaker and Quezon 2nd District Rep. David “Jay-jay” Suarez said during the regular press conference at the House of Representatives on Monday.
Quiboloy has been subpoenaed by the committee to shed light on his role in Swara Sug Media Corporation, operating as Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), whose congressional franchise is being sought to be revoked due to several serious violations.
Suarez maintained the crucial significance of Quiboloy’s testimony, rebuffing persistent claims by his lawyers that he has been detached from the management and operations of the network since 2018.
“Vital po kasi ‘yung information ni Pastor Quiboloy dahil naniniwala po kami, meron po siyang alam at may kinalaman po siya para mas lalong mapag-aralan ng committee ‘yung mga nabanggit na mga violations ng SMNI at ng Swara Sug doon sa franchise na kanilang pinanghahawakan,” Suarez said.
Suarez emphasized that the committee has a history of inviting resource persons to shed light on various issues, indicating that Quiboloy’s absence should not be an exception.
“I don’t think Pastor Quiboloy should be an excuse from the many people that have presented themselves and became resource persons for any issue that the House has taken,” Suarez pointed out.
1-RIDER Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, the author of the bill aimed at revoking SMNI’s franchise, similarly rejected the argument put forth by Quiboloy’s lawyers, asserting that he is indeed capable of providing the committee with pertinent details regarding the management and operations of SMNI.
“Hindi na po ‘yon bago, with all due respect to whatever sentiment they may have. During the initial deliberations that we’ve had doon sa hearing po sa committee, nagpadala din po ng abogado si Pastor Quiboloy at hindi na ho bago iyong katuwiran na iyon na wala daw pong kinalaman and wala na po siya sa SMNI,” Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez noted that after multiple deliberations, the committee deemed it necessary to extend an invitation to Quiboloy.
“Whether or not the reason will stand, we have to see po as far as we’re concerned under Congress kailangan po mag-attend po ni Pastor,” he added.
Gutierrez emphasized the importance of Quiboloy’s presence to clarify conflicting statements and provide a clearer timeline of events regarding SMNI’s management.
“We call on Pastor Quiboloy to attend because like we’ve always said this would be the best opportunity to explain his side,” he reiterated.
Cagayan de Oro City 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan stressed the paramount importance of Quiboloy’s appearance before the committee to ensure members can make “informed decisions.”
“I think it’s important to remember that the power to compel attendance is very important for the House of Representatives in order to make effective and wise judgments regarding legislation it aims to make,” Suan said.
SMNI faces potential legislative franchise revocation due to multiple violations, such as spreading fake news, involvement in red-tagging, and committing serious corporate offenses.
