The allegations against one of the most wanted accused sexual traffickers in the United States is currently being heard in both chambers of the Philippine Congress.

Apollo Quiboloy, the controversial preacher and founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KoJC), has been officially served with a subpoena by the Senate for his refusal to appear at two hearings intended to unearth the specifics of the allegations of sexual assault and forced labor against him and his church members.

“By Authority of Section 17 of the Rules of Procedure Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation of the Senate, Republic of the Philippines, you are hereby commanded and required to appear before the Senate, then and there to testify under oath on what you know relative to the subject matter…,” the subpoena addressed to Quiboloy said.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri’s signature on the subpoena for KoJC is verified on Monday by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the chair of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality that is investigating the organization.

“Ang subpoena, it’s stronger than an invitation. Kailangan sundin niya, i-heed niya yung subpoena,” Sen. Hontiveros told reporters Monday.

“That’s why I am thanking Senate President for signing the subpoena against Apollo Quiboloy. My office has made it our policy to put the voices of women and children first, to put the voices of the victim-survivors at the center. And I am glad that our institution under the current Senate leadership has made it its policy, too,” said Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality.

“Yes, the subpoena against Apollo Quiboloy is out. Gaano man kalakas ang ingay ng politika, mas malakas dapat ang panawagan para sa katarungan,” the senator added.

Quiboloy skipped first hearing, remains defiant

Quiboloy avoided the first hearing of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality by claiming that KOJC is facing harassment.

Melanio Balayan, Quiboloy’s lawyer, defended him throughout the probe.

Hontiveros issued the subpoena against Quiboloy after he did not attend the panel’s first hearing.

Two former KOJC members from Ukraine testified at the first Senate hearing that Quiboloy had sexually assaulted them as part of his purported church teachings. One of the ladies claimed to have been raped when she was a minor.

Quiboloy has insisted on staying away from the Senate probe into the alleged crimes within his church, claiming he will only appear “in a court of law.”

Quiboloy denies the claims against him.

“I will not subject myself to injustices that are done in a cloak of a Senate hearing… I will not subject to any of that, but I will face any of you… I will face you anywhere, anytime in a court of law,” Quiboloy previously said.

“Just do it. If you cannot do that, you are all bogus, you are all false. You don’t deserve my respect because you don’t respect my personal rights. I will not also respect your office as a senator,” he added.