Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday officially asked the Department of Justice to issue an immigration lookout order against Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

In a letter to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Hontiveros requested the lookout order to "ensure that he will be physically present at the Senate for the hearing."

The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, which Hontiveros chairs, will look into alleged crimes committed by Quiboloy and his church on 23 January next year.

"In the interest of justice and due process, it is my strong desire to ensure that he will be physically present in the Senate for the hearing," she said in the letter.

On Wednesday, DoJ Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said a formal request from Hontiveros was needed to issue an immigration lookout bulletin order against Quiboloy.

Earlier this week, Hontiveros filed a resolution urging the Senate to conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, into the "large-scale human trafficking, rape, sexual abuse and violence, and child abuse" committed by the KOJC under Quiboloy.

"An investigation in aid of legislation will also allow us to determine whether our updated human trafficking laws are able to cover large-scale and systemic acts of trafficking done under the cover of a religious organization," the resolution read.