TWO lawyers have condemned Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla’s reported plan to file a case against the Davao Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge who issued a temporary protection order (TPO) for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) amidst the search for its founder, Apollo Quiboloy.
Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque characterized the move as a “chilling effect on judicial independence,” warning that it signifies a dangerous trend towards dictatorship in the Philippines. “It is clear that the executive is meddling with the judiciary, attempting to silence dissent and intimidate those who oppose the administration,” Roque stated.
Lawyer Caesar Europa, a former Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Eastern Mindanao governor, echoed Roque’s concerns, emphasizing the chilling effect Remulla’s statement has on the judiciary. “It sends the wrong message to our courts, discouraging them from taking any action that might be perceived as opposing the executive branch,” Europa said.
He urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to reconsider its course of action, arguing that it would be detrimental to the country and its people. Europa pointed out that the TPO did not hinder the service of the warrant against Quiboloy and that the Davao RTC had jurisdiction to issue the TPO as the actions sought to be stopped were occurring within the city.
Europa further clarified that the transfer of Quiboloy’s case to Manila did not negate the jurisdiction of other courts to handle separate cases, including the petition that led to the TPO.
Remulla had previously asserted that the Davao RTC lost jurisdiction over Quiboloy’s criminal cases after the Supreme Court granted the request to move the case to Metro Manila. He reportedly questioned the TPO issued by Davao RTC Judge Mario Duaves, which directed police to remove barricades at the KOJC compound and cease any actions that could threaten the safety of KOJC members.
The police are still searching for Quiboloy within the 30-hectare KOJC compound.
