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Legislators

House Committee on Justice to Conduct Inquiry into US Bid to Extradite Kingdom of Jesus Christ Founder Apollo Quiboloy

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The House of Representatives' committee on justice is set to conduct a motu proprio inquiry into the United States' bid to have Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy extradited over sex trafficking and bulk cash smuggling charges. The committee's decision comes in response to a request from Akbayan Party-List Rep. Percival Cendaña, who asked the panel to review and explain the processes related to extradition and identify possible gaps or ambiguities in existing regulations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The House committee on justice will conduct an inquiry into the US bid to extradite Apollo Quiboloy, who is wanted for sex trafficking and bulk cash smuggling.
  • The inquiry was requested by Akbayan Party-List Rep. Percival Cendaña, who asked the panel to review and explain the processes related to extradition and identify possible gaps or ambiguities in existing regulations.
  • Committee chairman Rep. Gerville Luistro approved the motion, with no members objecting.
  • The committee will review two key laws: the 1994 extradition treaty between the US and the Philippines and Presidential Decree No. 1069, or the Philippine Extradition Law of 1977.
  • The panel will examine the following arguments or issues with respect to the existing laws on extradition in the Philippines: whether an extradition process may be initiated by a foreign country when the extraditee has pending cases in the Philippines, and the timeline between the request by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the transmittal to the Department of Justice.
  • Several lawmakers, including Deputy Speaker and Zambales 1st District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun and Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., have backed Quiboloy's extradition.
  • Quiboloy was accused of sex trafficking and bulk cash smuggling by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Statistics:

  • The Philippine Extradition Law of 1977, also known as Presidential Decree No. 1069, is silent on some pertinent details, such as the timeline between the request by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the transmittal to the Department of Justice.
  • The 1994 extradition treaty between the US and the Philippines may be initiated by a foreign country when the extraditee has pending cases in the Philippines.
  • No Filipinos have been extradited to the United States since 2008.
  • Apollo Quiboloy is wanted by the FBI for sex trafficking and bulk cash smuggling.
  • Several lawmakers, including Rep. Jefferson Khonghun and Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., have backed Quiboloy's extradition.

Sources:

  • Philippine Daily Inquirer: "House committee to probe US bid to extradite Quiboloy"
  • Philippine Daily Inquirer: "PH envoy: US seeking Quiboloy extradition"
  • Philippine Daily Inquirer: "Abante says Quiboloy extradition 'a step in upholding justice'"

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