On International Women’s Day, Senator Risa Hontiveros emphasized the need for justice for alleged women victim-survivors of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy.

As the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, she has spearheaded three investigations into allegations of large-scale human trafficking, sexual violence, and child abuse involving Quiboloy. Hontiveros shared firsthand testimonies of women who claim to have been routinely assaulted by the religious leader for several years. She urged for justice, especially for those who overcame shame and fear to speak out.

The senator highlighted the coercive practices within the Kingdom, where women in prestigious positions were allegedly forced to sleep with Quiboloy as a sign of devotion.

“Hindi lang Pilipinang menor de edad ang diumanong ginahasa ni Quiboloy, pati mga dayuhang pinangakuan niya ng maganda at mapayapang buhay sa Davao. We’ve heard the stories of at least three Ukrainian women who left everything in Ukraine only to be exploited by the Pastor. They were effectively used as sex slaves,” Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros pointed out that the abuses are ongoing inside the Kingdom.

Quiboloy was indicted in a US court in 2021 for heinous crimes committed in America, including the systematic rape of women and minors as young as 11 years old.

The Department of Justice, early this week, directed the filing of trafficking and child abuse charges against Quiboloy based on a 2019 complaint by a 17-year-old girl.

“This IWD, I call on all of us to listen to these women and girls. Let us not waste their courage. Hindi madali ang ginawa nilang pagbahagi ng mga mapapait na karanasan alang-alang sa hustisya. Let us show them that justice in this country can work for the most vulnerable,” Hontiveros explained.

She concluded by saying, “To the victim-survivors, your strength and resolve remind us of the women before us who fought for our dignity, our freedom, and our rights. Your grace amid this chaos inspires us to stand with you, tall and undeterred. Umaasa ako na titindig hindi lang ang Senado, kundi ang buong bansa, kasama ninyo.”

📷: Sen. Risa Hontiveros