MANILA – Lawmakers have backed the possible temporary surrender of Apollo Quiboloy, the influential televangelist and leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), after the United States formally requested his extradition on charges including sex trafficking of minors and fraud.

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said on Friday that the Philippines has a clear legal basis under its extradition treaty with Washington to turn over Quiboloy, even while cases against him remain pending at home.

She cited Article 11 of the 1994 treaty, which allows for a suspect to be extradited to face trial abroad and later brought back to the Philippines once proceedings conclude.

“Kahit may kaso siya dito, pwede pa rin siyang dalhin sa Amerika para harapin muna ang mga kaso doon, at pagkatapos ng paglilitis ay ibalik sa Pilipinas para panagutin sa mga krimen dito,” Hontiveros said.

She added that Quiboloy’s alleged victims in the US had “waited too long for justice.”

“Hindi rin tama na patagalin pa ang kanilang laban.”

The US government submitted a formal request in June through diplomatic channels, Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez confirmed earlier this week. The request stems from a 2021 indictment filed in California that accuses Quiboloy and senior KOJC officials of sex trafficking, bulk cash smuggling, and running a fraudulent charity scheme.

US prosecutors allege that church members were brought to the United States on illegally obtained visas and forced to raise funds for a bogus non-profit that financed the group’s operations and its leaders’ lavish lifestyles. Several female followers, including minors, were allegedly coerced into sexual acts under threats of “spiritual damnation.”

Former senator and now representative of the Mamamayang Liberal party-list, Leila de Lima, also urged the Justice Department to act swiftly.

“Ang malinaw: Sa Estados Unidos man o sa Pilipinas, dapat panagutin si Apollo Quiboloy sa lahat ng pang-aabuso niya sa kababaihan at kabataan,” De Lima said.

“Tapos na ang panahon na napoprotektahan at napagtatakpan ang mga kasalanan ng mga katulad niyang walang pakundangan sa paglabag sa batas at sa karapatang-pantao,” she added.

Meanwhile, Akbayan Party-list Representative and Deputy Minority Leader Perci Cendaña warned that delays could deny justice to victims, stressing that Quiboloy still wields “huge political and religious power” that could influence witnesses and investigations.

“If such an extradition request exists, I strongly urge our government, especially the Department of Justice, to immediately begin the process for the extradition of Quiboloy, including requesting our local courts to immediately resolve the pending charges against him,” Cendaña said.

“Even in detention, Quiboloy continues to wield huge political and religious power in our country. His inordinate access and influence within our country’s political establishment undermine investigations and endanger witnesses. It is clear that true justice will evade his victims should he continue to remain in the Philippines,” the Akbayan representative added.

Quiboloy, 74, is a long-time ally of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte and calls himself the “Appointed Son of God.” He has denied all allegations against him.

📷 Philippine News Agency