On August 22, 2025, Senator Risa Hontiveros asserted that the Philippines has firm legal grounds to temporarily surrender Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy to the United States.
Hontiveros cited Article 11, Paragraph 1 of the PH–US Extradition Treaty as the basis for her position.
“Kahit may kaso siya dito, puwede pa rin siyang dalhin sa Amerika para harapin muna ang mga kaso doon, at pagkatapos ng paglilitis ay ibalik sa Pilipinas para panagutin sa mga krimen dito,” she explained.
The senator delivered the statement following the disclosure of Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez that the United States has already transmitted its formal extradition request for Quiboloy to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Hontiveros emphasized that allowing Quiboloy’s temporary surrender would serve both U.S. and Philippine victims, noting that justice has already been delayed for years.
She also warned that keeping him in the country indefinitely risks interference in ongoing proceedings and possible intimidation of witnesses.
Quiboloy, a self-proclaimed “appointed son of God,” faces human trafficking and child abuse charges in Philippine courts, while also indicted in the U.S. for sex trafficking, fraud, and money laundering.
Philippine courts, including the Pasig Regional Trial Court, have already denied him bail in certain cases.
The DOJ has yet to confirm whether it has formally received the U.S. request, while Malacañang has not issued a statement on the matter.
With legal provisions in place and diplomatic talks reportedly underway, the question now is how soon Philippine authorities will act on Washington’s request—and whether Quiboloy will be made to face charges abroad before his trials at home are concluded.
