Pasig Court denies Quiboloy motion vs warrant, proceedings

A COURT in Pasig City has denied the motion of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy to defer or suspend the proceedings and likewise hold in abeyance, the  warrant of arrest issued against him in relation to the non-bailable qualified human trafficking charges.

“After consideration of the arguments brought forth by the parties, the court finds the Motion to Defer/Suspend Proceedings and Hold in Abeyance Issuance of Warrant of Arrest to be a prohibited motion and should therefore be denied,” according to the order that was released by the Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 159.

Earlier, Quiboloy filed a motion before a Pasig court asking it to issue an order that would defer and suspend the proceedings with regards to the human trafficking case against him “pending the resolution by the Secretary of Justice of their Motion for Reconsideration.”

But the court noted that the reason of Quiboloy is not a ground for suspending the arraignment under Section 11, Rule 116 of the Rules of the Court.

“Clearly, from the foregoing, there is no basis for this court to suspend the proceedings by reason of the filing of a motion for reconsideration on the Resolution of the petition for review before the Department of Justice as this is not one of the grounds stated under Section 11, Rule 116 of the Rules on Criminal Procedure,” the order read.

“This court, after personally examining the information and its supporting document, finds probable cause for the arrest of all the accused. Let warrants of arrest be issued against them,” it added.

It also said that they cannot deviate from their mandated duty and desist from taking action on the case in the absence of any restraining order or writ of preliminary injunction issued by the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court.

Likewise the DOJ took note that the charges of qualified human trafficking charges under Section 4 (a) of Republic Act 9208 that was filed against Quiboloy before Pasig City RTC Branch 159. There was no bail recommended for the charges.

In Davao, charges under Section 5(b) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act and under Section 10(a) of the same act were filed against Quiboloy.

Prosecutors had set the bail at P180,000 for sexual assault and P80,000 for maltreatment.

Also charged with Quiboloy were Jackielyn W. Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid C. Canada, and Sylvia Cemane.