Cendaña response to libel: Extradite Quiboloy, pronto!

Akbayan Partylist Rep. Perci Cendaña has urged the Department of Justice (DoJ) to expedite the extradition of Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to the United States, where he faces an arrest warrant linked to alleged sex trafficking.

Cendaña made the call Friday after submitting his counter-affidavit to the libel and cyberlibel complaints Quiboloy filed against him and other lawmakers at the Pasig City Prosecutor’s Office.

“I hope the DoJ can decide on the extradition of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy at the soonest possible time so that his alleged victims could begin their long walk to justice,” Cendaña told reporters.

The lawmaker said he had repeatedly asked about the extradition during House hearings but was told the request remained under review.

In his counter-affidavit, Cendaña cited testimonies from Quiboloy’s alleged victims during a Senate inquiry to support his position that he had made no libelous statements.

He described the complaints as an attempt to silence critics seeking justice for the alleged victims.

“This is part of the job, but in the end, we need to protect the victims, the alleged victims of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. We are ready to face this case,” he said.

The complaints also named Mamamayang Liberal Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima and Sen. Risa Hontiveros as respondents.

Quiboloy, through lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, filed the complaints on 11 September, accusing the lawmakers of violating the sub judice rule by making statements that allegedly presumed his guilt while cases against him were pending.

Topacio said the lawmakers’ remarks suggested Quiboloy had already been convicted of human trafficking charges pending before the Pasig Regional Trial Court.

“We cannot know where those accusations came from because this is sub judice and is still being tried in Pasig,” Topacio said.

“There is no judgment here. There is no conviction. And this is still being tried,” he added.

Quiboloy also faces a separate case in Quezon City for alleged violations of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.