THREE more lawmakers have expressed belief that former president Duterte, his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte and Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, and others could be held liable for allegedly coddling and obstructing the arrest of then fugitive pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
1Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, House Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre, and House Assistant Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V said the triumvirate were allegedly instrumental in hiding the evangelist-leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ for several months from authorities.
“The way that we see it, if indeed it is true that they have prior knowledge on his whereabouts, and then they intentionally hid him, there will be criminal liabilities for that,” Gutierrez, a member of the Bar, told newsmen specifically mentioning harboring a fugitive and obstruction of justice.
“Whether or not they are liable, we leave it to the Department of Justice to properly seek if there is indeed probable cause, and the proper cases would be filed,” he explained further.
Acidre advised that government focus on the most important aspect of the case. “As far as we are concerned, we should not forget that this issue is not about the perpetrator. It’s about the victims. “
“It’s about the people who were trafficked, those minors who were sent abroad and who were forced to marry to those who committed the crime. If pastor Quiboloy is liable, then it is up to the court to decide so that we can say that finally, justice can prevail,” Acidre said.
Ortega, for his part, was wondering if KOJC members can also be held accountable for their role.
“Were they defending (Quiboloy) or were they just conducting the public hearing? It is because they conducted a public hearing, that is my immediate question. Were they adopted members of KOJC? So, were they representing or were they adopted members?” Ortega asked.
Last week, Reps. Joel Chua of Manila’s third district and Raul Angelo “Jil” Bongalon of Ako Bicol partylist hinted Duterte can be sued for harboring a fugitive and for obstruction of justice, on the basis that he feigned innocence on the preacher’s specific whereabouts.
“Duterte, serving as the administrator of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound where Quiboloy was apprehended, cannot simply distance himself from this troubling situation,” remarked Chua, chairman of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.
“His (Duterte’s) role within the KOJC compound places him at the center of this unfolding scandal, and the public deserves clear answers about his involvement,” Chua added, noting that Quiboloy’s own TV network Sonshine Media Network International designated Duterte as “caretaker.”
“The former president can — I think — fit in the definition of an accomplice,” Bongalon pointed out.
The Bicolano legislator also said that as a lawyer, Duterte should know whereof he speaks. “Being a lawyer also means being an officer of the court. Simply put, he should not be one who should be instrumental in the violation of the country’s laws.”
“It can even be a basis for a petition for disbarment, more so if it can be proven that he did this deliberately – it means not to serve the ends of justice, which is obviously an infraction of the law,” Bongalon said. “Remember, he – for all intents and purposes – was a former president.”
He hinted that Duterte’s daughter, VP Sara, along with their good friend Sen. dela Rosa, can also be investigated, and even charged, for obstruction of justice for trying to divert policemen’s attention in serving Quiboloy’s warrant.
“As far as I’m concerned, the same principle applies to both of them. If the former president – who used to be the chief implementor of the country’s laws – can be charged for helping Quiboloy hide, then so should his daughter and the former PNP chief who is now a senator,” he explained.
“Let us remember that the VP herself declared that the good pastor has already left the country. And now with Quiboloy’s arrest, what does that make of her? Did she or did she not protect him and obstruct the administration of justice by diverting police’s attention?” Bongalon asked.
Commentaires