Senator Risa Hontiveros has called on the Philippine government to act decisively on the extradition request for detained preacher Apollo Quiboloy, stressing that victims in the United States should not be made to wait any longer for justice.
In a statement, Hontiveros said the extradition would allow Quiboloy to face charges in the U.S., where he has been indicted for serious crimes including sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, sex trafficking of children, and bulk cash smuggling.
“Justice for the victims of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy in the United States should not be delayed further,” she emphasized, urging authorities to grant the request of U.S. officials.
The senator also pointed to provisions under Article 11, Paragraph 1 of the Philippine-U.S. Extradition Treaty, which make it possible for Quiboloy to be sent abroad for trial while still ensuring he can later be brought back to the Philippines to face his pending cases of human trafficking, and child and sexual abuse.
Her remarks came amid mounting questions over the government’s handling of the case. While the U.S. formally submitted its extradition request in June, both the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) have maintained that they have not yet received any official documents. The DOJ has reiterated that local charges must be addressed first before extradition proceedings can move forward.
Quiboloy’s legal team, meanwhile, has argued that Philippine courts should assert jurisdiction over his cases before any transfer is considered, warning that rushing the process could be seen as undermining national sovereignty. His lawyers have also floated the possibility of a temporary surrender—allowing him to stand trial in the U.S. while his Philippine cases continue.
