Court issues show cause order to Quiboloy for airing campaign video

Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. Photo from the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau.

MANILA, Philippines — The Pasig City Regional Trial Court has issued a show cause order to Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and his counsel for airing a campaign video without the court’s approval.

In an order dated February 12, Acting Presiding Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa said the court received information that the pre-recorded video was aired at a gathering of Quiboloy’s supporters on February 9 and posted on SMNI’s Facebook page on February 10 without the court’s approval.

“Atty. Israelito Torreon and accused Apollo C. Quiboloy are directed to show cause within five days from receipt of this order why the video was aired…without a court approval,” the court said in its order.

It added that the lack of approval to air the campaign video violates the guidelines and parameters set by the court.

Earlier, human rights group Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainee Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA) questioned why the court allowed Quiboloy to record the video for the campaign despite facing cases for qualified trafficking before the Pasig Court and child and sexual abuse before the Quezon City Court.

READ: Group of ex-detainees: Quiboloy campaign video shows VIP treatment

INQUIRER.net has reached out to Torreon for his comment on the court order but has yet to respond as of posting time.

Torreon earlier said they fought tooth and nail to secure the court’s approval to record the video.

READ: Quiboloy campaign video message has court approval, says lawyer

“[T]he court order allowing Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to record his video message happened only after a tedious hearing that was conducted where the court heard our side and the vehement objections filed by the Prosecution,” he said.