Lawyer Israelito Torreon on Friday castigated Senator Risa Hontiveros over her remarks regarding the extradition of his client, Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy, to the United States.
Torreon's statement came a day after Hontiveros said it was "about time" for Quiboloy to be extradited to the US, where he faces charges including child sex trafficking, bulk cash smuggling, and other offenses.
The US has formally requested Quiboloy's extradition to face the criminal charges, with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirming on Thursday that it had received the request.
In a statement, Torreon said allegations against Quiboloy should not be treated as established facts while court proceedings remain unresolved.
"An open reminder to Senator Risa Hontiveros: The statement, 'He trafficked women and girls from around the world,' is not merely an expression of opinion. It is a categorical conclusion of fact and law," Torreon said.
"Pastor ACQ has not been convicted of human trafficking," he added.
Torreon stressed that Quiboloy, like any accused person, is entitled to due process and the constitutional presumption of innocence until a competent court issues a final judgment.
"Until a competent court renders a final judgment of conviction, he, like every Filipino, is entitled to the constitutional guarantees of due process and the presumption of innocence," he said.
The lawyer also urged Hontiveros to exercise caution in her public statements.
"As a sitting legislator sworn to uphold the Constitution, Senator Hontiveros should be circumspect in her language. There is a significant legal distinction between stating that a person is accused of a crime and declaring that he committed it," Torreon said.
"The rule of law demands that guilt be established in court, and not in public pronouncements. Respect for the rights of the accused is not an obstacle to justice; it is an indispensable part of it," he said.
Quiboloy, a close ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested in Davao City in September 2024 after months of evading authorities.
He and four others surrendered following a large-scale police operation at the 30-hectare KOJC compound, which houses facilities including a cathedral, stadium, a hangar, and a taxiway connected to Davao International Airport.
He has remained in detention since his arrest.
In 2021, U.S. federal prosecutors indicted Quiboloy on allegations of trafficking women and underage girls, claiming they were subjected to threats of abuse and "eternal damnation" if they refused to comply with his demands.
