00:47.7
Well, I heard that yesterday likewise.
00:51.0
And as what I have said yesterday in an interview,
00:53.8
we will await the ruling of the Chief PNP and we will read it and we will move in accordance with what is stated in the ruling.
01:04.8
But as what I have learned, it is based upon Section 4G of RA 10591.
01:11.0
Section 4G talks of an applicant for the issuance of a license to own firearms.
01:17.5
Pastor Apolo Kibuloy is no longer an applicant.
01:20.5
So therefore, Section 4G does not apply.
01:23.8
Instead, it should have been Section 39.
01:26.6
That is why we await the receipt of the resolution from PNP Chief.
01:31.9
And if it is true that he based it on Section 4G,
01:36.3
then we will file a motion for reconsideration to perhaps bring it to his attention na hindi na po aplikante si Pastor.
01:43.4
He has already been granted the license.
01:45.7
So therefore, Section 39 applies and Section 39 requires conviction before he has license.
01:53.6
So therefore, Section 39 applies and Section 39 requires conviction before he has license.
01:56.4
Yeah, but if ever you do receive it and the motion says that it is regarding on, it is about Section 39,
02:05.8
will you be surrendering the 19 guns that are supposed to be, that are already issued licenses?
02:12.6
It's an option open to Pastor Apolo Kibuloy and he might be studying that also.
02:20.7
But the fact remains that we are entitled to...
02:23.6
to file a motion for reconsideration.
02:25.4
And while the motion for reconsideration is pending, then the decision stays.
02:31.2
That is our humble belief.
02:34.2
There's also a whole departure order already in place, Attorney Torreon.
02:38.1
But many are asking, several government agencies, intelligence agencies cannot smoke the Pastor out of hiding.
02:45.2
Is the Pastor still in the country?
02:48.1
I do believe he is still in the country, in the Philippines.
02:50.6
He loves the Philippines very much.
02:53.6
He is just utilizing all the legal options available to him,
02:57.9
such as but not limited to questioning the validity of the charge,
03:01.5
in the light of the fact that we filed a motion for reconsideration before the Department of Justice,
03:06.3
questioning politely the findings of the Department of Justice against him.
03:12.7
We also have pending motions to quash before the RTCs of Davao City as well as in Pasig City.
03:19.8
If these motions to quash would be granted,
03:22.5
then the cases against...
03:23.6
him are dismissed.
03:24.8
He is availing of his legal remedies under the law.
03:28.1
There are a lot of cases and complaints being filed against the Pastor, Attorney Torreon.
03:33.4
And I was just wondering, with all the numerous cases, he has a lot of legal counsel handling these.
03:40.9
How are you transacting or even conversing with the Pastor for you to be able to create a legal defense for him?
03:50.0
Well, actually, before all of the...
03:53.6
before the warrants of arrest were issued, we had long conversations always.
03:58.1
And we already strategized.
03:60.0
We already discussed possible happenings that will occur.
04:06.4
And I am speaking based on our past conversations and agreements, po.
04:11.5
As to different legal counsels, of course.
04:14.7
He is facing a case before the Senate as well as in the House of Representatives.
04:20.6
And three cases in...
04:23.6
RTC Davao City and in Pasig City.
04:27.0
Naturally, I'm based in Davao City so it could be best if lawyers would likewise represent him in Manila and Greater Manila.
04:35.0
So it's a matter of a strategy on our part to adapt ways and means by which we can communicate with each other so that our message is uniform and the same.
04:48.9
Yeah, but do you in your capacity?
04:51.9
Are you in any...
04:53.5
in any way conversing personally with the Pastor?
04:56.9
In the past, yes.
05:00.5
So you have no personal communication?
05:04.2
How are you talking about the updates on his cases if you're not able to speak with your client?
05:11.5
Actually, ma'am, if you are listening, before the warrants of arrest were issued, we already discussed with Pastor Apolo Siquiboloy as to the...
05:23.5
as to the possible scenarios that may occur.
05:26.2
What if this will happen?
05:27.7
Okay, you speak this.
05:29.1
What if a warrant of arrest will happen?
05:31.6
Okay, this is our stand.
05:33.1
And what if extradition proceeding will be issued against me or will be started against me?
05:41.8
So this is our stand.
05:43.0
So all of these matters can actually be discussed beforehand po.
05:47.4
And that's what I did because I'm dean of a law school.
05:51.0
I'm near his office.
05:53.0
And we communicate often before.
05:55.5
Yeah, but right now, you're actually looking for ways to circumvent orders for the pastor to appear.
06:04.0
Like what you mentioned earlier, sir, that you were able to speak with...
06:07.2
Not circumvention, ma'am.
06:07.7
It's an available legal remedy under the law.
06:10.6
You could not call it circumvention.
06:13.2
It's invocation of the rights presented to him or available to him under the law.
06:19.6
So my next question would be...
06:21.1
We can cite even instances in the past.
06:23.0
I would not know that in respect of the personalities involved also who did this in the past.
06:27.5
So my question right now, attorney, is what ideal situation are the legal counsel waiting for for the pastor to finally appear?
06:37.0
Well, if the cases will be dismissed against him and if there is already a promise in writing on the part of the president of the Republic of the Philippines,
06:46.4
the DOJ secretary and the PNP chief, that he will not be extraordinarily rendered to the United States.
06:53.0
That the Washington will not interfere in judicial proceedings in the Philippines.
07:00.5
These are all within his rights as a citizen to demand or to request pursuant to the social contract theory.
07:07.4
Then perhaps Pastor Apolo Siquibuloy will appear again.
07:11.7
But invoking all those rights by the pastor, will he still face the government and all the other appearances that they request of him?
07:22.8
Before those rights can still be given to him as well?
07:26.6
Well, according to Santiago versus Vasquez, ma'am, we can file a motion to quash even if he's not present because it is his right.
07:33.9
To question the validity of the charge against him.
07:37.5
Many personalities in the past have already invoked this.
07:41.4
It is within our rights under the law, under the 1987 Constitution.
07:47.9
And if he avails of such right, that is not circumvention.
07:51.6
That is an invocation.
07:52.8
It is an invocation of his rights as a citizen of the Republic.
07:56.2
And finally, Atty. Torreon, the Department of Justice is seeking transfer to either Pasig Court or a Quezon City Court of the child and sexual abuse complaints against the pastor.
08:06.5
Can we talk a little about that, please, before I let you go?
08:09.1
Well, actually, I have yet to receive a copy of the petition for change of venue.
08:15.3
This is presumably filed pursuant to Article 8, Section 5, Paragraph 4 of the 1987 Constitution.
08:21.9
And if we do receive that, I'm very sure that the courts will require us to comment.
08:27.1
And we will comment on that.
08:28.5
And I would like to bring it to your attention that in the past, Blenda Portugal, the complainant in the rape case that was dismissed twice in the City Prosecutor's Office,
08:39.1
was actually an accused in libel cases, two counts before the RTC Upanabo, and she filed a petition for change of venue likewise.
08:47.4
The court denied it and the proceedings have been...
08:51.9
Conducted since 2018 until the present.
08:55.8
And his safety was never in jeopardy.
08:59.1
So therefore, in the light of this, we will be opposing the petition for change of review that is reportedly filed by DOJ.
09:09.5
Reportedly, simply because of the fact that I have not yet received a copy of the said petition for transfer of venue.
09:17.3
All right. Hopefully, you'd be able to get the copy for that.
09:20.2
So we'd be able to have you.
09:21.9
Thank you for joining the program again.
09:22.9
Attorney, thank you for your time.
09:24.0
You have a good afternoon ahead of you.
09:26.2
Thank you. Thank you very much.
09:28.0
We just had Attorney Israelito Torreon, the legal counsel of Pastor Apollo Kibuloy.
