MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed support for the United States’ request to extradite Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy, saying the move would help ensure accountability and provide relief to his alleged victims.

In a statement, Hontiveros said Quiboloy should face trial in the United States over allegations that he trafficked women and girls.

“It’s about time for Apollo Quiboloy to be extradited to the United States of America. He trafficked women and girls from around the world. Justice demands that he answer for these crimes in the very places he committed them,” she said.

Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, said she was relieved that both Philippine and US authorities are seeking to hold Quiboloy accountable following the Senate hearings that heard testimonies from his alleged victims.

“Wala na siyang dapat matirang kahit katiting na impluwensya dito sa Pilipinas. His continued presence in this country still emboldens his followers to harass the very survivors who found the courage to speak against him,” Hontiveros said.

She also urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to immediately act on the extradition request.

“Panahon na para papanatagin ang buhay ng mga biktima.”

The United States Department of State has formally requested Quiboloy’s extradition, according to Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez.

Romualdez said the request had been transmitted to the DOJ through the US State Department, which is seeking Quiboloy’s extradition as soon as possible in connection with multiple cases pending in the United States.

The request stems from Quiboloy’s 2021 indictment in California, where he faces charges that include sex trafficking of minors, fraud, and bulk cash smuggling.

The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that it has received the US government’s extradition request and has endorsed it to the DOJ.

DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said the agency has yet to receive information on the request but noted that under Article 11 of the Philippines-US Extradition Treaty, the government may either defer extradition until Quiboloy’s cases in the Philippines are resolved or temporarily surrender him to the United States for trial, subject to agreed conditions between the two countries.

The Philippines and the United States signed their extradition treaty in November 1994. Under the treaty, a person temporarily surrendered to the United States must be returned to the Philippines after the conclusion of proceedings abroad if local cases remain pending.