PINATAWAN ng contempt si Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy ng Committee on Legislative Franchises ng House of Representatives dahil sa hindi pagsipot at patuloy na pang-iisnab sa pagdinig ng Kamara sa prangkisa ng Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) na may legal na pangalan na Swara Sug Media Corporation (SSMC) sa gitna ng subpoena na ipinadala dito kamakailan.
Ayon kay House of Legislative Franchises Chairman at Paranaque 2nd Disrict Guz Tambunting, kabilang sa dahilan ng pag- iimbestiga upang madesisyunan ang kapalaran ng SSMC ay ang iba -ibang alegasyon ng paglabag umano sa prangkisa at paratang ng hindi umano pagpapasahod ng tama sa mga taga -SMNI bukod sa kawalan ng benepisyo at iba pa.
Sa kabilang banda, patuloy ang katwiran ng kampo ni Quiboloy sa pagdinig dahil wala na aniya itong kinalaman sa pamalalakad ng naturang kompanya kahit ito ay tinawag na honorary chairman.
Bahagi ng naturang pagdinig ang nais umano nitong malaman kung si Quiboloy ang nagmamay ari ng SMNI at kung ano ang partisipasyon niya rito.
“During the last hearing February 7,if you will recall, most especially those who were present during that hearing, this committee issued a subpoena to Pastor Quiboloy.Because of this non appearance on this hearing despite several invitations that we sent him.I can see that again, Pastor Quiboloy is a no show in this hearing.It is clear under the House Rules,especially on rules governing procedure on inquiries in aid of legislation.Section 11.The committee may punish anybody for contempt by majority of the members present specifically if on section A, refusal to obey summons. And section e in disrespectful manner. In this case, the face that he has not been appearing in hearings in this committee, just shows that he has no respect for this committee.It just shows that he acts like God.He acts with impunity. She takes this hearing for granted.
Ipinagwawalang bahala niya importante po siya dito. So in this case, kahit mag hearing pa tayo ng dalawampung beses.Kahit na dalawampung beses natin imbitahin si Pastor Quiboloy, It is very clear, he has no intention whatsoever of appearing on this committee. It is our obligation to show these people who take our committee for granted he sanctions that could be meted under our house rules….I move to cite for contempt on the grounds I have stated,”sabi ni Committee on Legislative Franchises Vice Chairman and Surigao del Sur 2nd District Representative Johnny Pimentel.
Bago dinesisyonan ng mga miyembro ng komite, hiniling muna ni Abang Lingkod party-list Representative Joseph Stephen Paduano na bigyan ng pagkakataon ng mga ito mapakinggan ang panig nila Quiboloy sa pamamagitan ng abogado nito na si Atty. Ferdinand Topacio.
“We will always submit to the discretion of Congress, with a gentle reminder wih a very recent case at the senate blue ribbon committee.The Supreme Court had ruled hat before any person is held in contempt of House or any political, he must be given due process,meaning a chance to explain.We are just invoking this right on behalf of Pastor Quiboloy,”sabi ni Topacio.
Ipinaalala ni Tambunting na inimbitahan si Quiboloy mula pa ng Disyembre.”Several invitations has been given to him.He has not appeared which prompted the Honorable Pimentel to file a motion for us to subpoena Pastor Quiboloy because of his non-appearance in previous hearings. So
I think as far As due process is concerned we have complied with this,” dagdag pa ni Tambunting.
“Huwag nyo na po sisihin si Pastor. Ako po ang nagsabi sa kanya na huwag na pumunta. Since wala naman kayong kinalaman sa SMNI,” sabi ni Topacio habang umapela ito na bigyan siya ng kaunting panahon upang mapasipot si Quiboloy sa mga susunod na pagdinig. “I will advise him accordingly,”sabi ni Topacio. Ma. Luisa Macabuhay-Garcia
