IT IS not a remote possibility that former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte may be hauled to court for allegedly harboring a fugitive like his spiritual adviser Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who was arrested by authorities inside the religious sector’s place of worship.
“Being the administrator of Pastor Quiboloy’s estate, specifically the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) in Davao City, where the evangelist was arrested, makes him liable under the law – at the very least for harboring a fugitive,” House Assistant Majority Leader Jil Bongalon declared.
The Ako Bicol party-list congressman, who is a lawyer by profession, also explained that such designation is a fact, which was revealed by Quiboloy’s own TV network, Sonshine Media Network International, in March this year when the preacher started evading law enforcers.
“The former president can – I think - fit in the definition of an accomplice,” he pointed out.
Likewise, Duterte being a member of the Bar should know his law, according the administration legislator. “Being a lawyer also means being an officer of the court. Simply put, he should not be one who should be instrumental in the violation of the country’s laws.”
“It can even be a basis for a petition for disbarment, more so if it can be proven that he did this deliberately – it means not to serve the ends of justice, which is obviously an infraction of the law,” he explained further. “Remember, he – for all intents and purposes – was a former president.”
At the same time, Bongalon hinted that Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara, along with their good friend Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, can also be investigated, and even charged, for obstruction of justice for trying to divert policemen’s attention in serving Quiboloy’s warrant.
“As far as I’m concerned, the same principle applies to both of them. If the former president – who used to be the chief implementor of the country’s laws – can be charged for helping Quiboloy hide, then so should his daughter and the former PNP chief who is now a senator,” he explained.
“Let us remember that the VP herself declared that the good pastor has already left the country. And now with Quiboloy’s arrest, what does that make of her? Did she or did she not protect him and obstruct the administration of justice by diverting police’s attention?” Bongalon asked.
Quiboloy surrendered to the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) within the KOJC compound.
Upon his arrival at the Villamor Air Base from Davao City, Quibuloy was immediately transferred to the PNP Custodial Facility at Camp Crame.
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