Gov’t looking into Quiboloy sanctions

The Department of Justice yesterday said it will study the financial sanctions that the United States government had imposed on Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church.

Justice Assistant Secretary and concurrent spokesperson Atty. Mico Clavano stressed that the DoJ will still "study the ins and outs" of the sanctions against Quiboloy for alleged human rights abuses, including sex trafficking.

"The Department of Justice of the Philippines acknowledges that the US Treasury Department issued these sanctions on their Human Rights and International Corruption Day. We would like to express our unity in their cause in the protection of Human Rights and in the eradication of corrupt practices," Clavano told reporters via Viber.

"However, the DoJ has yet to discuss the ins and outs of the sanctions on Mr. Quiboloy. It is simply too premature for us to speak on the issue. Allow us to gather verified information and seek US legal experts' advice. Then we can act accordingly," he added.

The US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions including the blocking of transactions involving his properties and interests in America.

Sex-related charges had been filed against Quiboloy in the United States, all of which the televangelist has denied.

A lawmaker, Deputy House Minority Leader France Castro, has asked the Philippine government to look into the sanctions against Quiboloy.