Friendship but at what price?

The series of hearings at the Senate on the cases against embattled Pastor Apollo Carreon Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ Church (KOJC) has once again strengthened the popular notion that justice in this country is not for the poor and oppressed or for those who have been victims of heinous crimes committed by the rich and the powerful.

When individuals are close friends of the rich and powerful, they will be rewarded with perks—financial, appointive positions in government and other privileges exclusive only to their circle. No one from the poorest of the poor will be able to access these, except perhaps if they have done or are doing dirty work for them, and have deep knowledge of the rich and powerful politicians’ nefarious activities or “projects.”

Among these are struggling mercenaries “mga kapit sa patalim,” the popular Tagalog phrase that refers to those who will do anything for a hefty price. But since they don’t belong to the inner circle of the rich and powerful, these kapit-sa-patalim individuals who execute the dirty jobs for the former will just be treated like they are some expendable items or gadgets—they can be thrown away at any time once they have served their purpose, especially when they start singing a different tune and violate rigid rules of silence imposed by their lords. Silence is the golden rule in any illegal activity, and as long as a rich politician’s operatives continue to observe this rule, everyone in the syndicate benefits, with money from illegal drug trade or weapons smuggling flowing endlessly like a spring.

After several sessions of the Senate investigation on Quiboloy’s cases, the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” continued to be a no-show at these hearings, prompting Sen. Risa Hontiveros to request that the pastor be arrested.

To this request come the vociferous cries of protest from some stooges in the Senate who are closely associated with Quiboloy, through his staunch patron, former president Rodrigo Duterte. We already know who they are—they are among the “colorful” members of the Senate—and not because they espouse something as lofty as diversity-oriented inclusive governance but mainly because they are the ones who say the most ludicrous or inane remarks to support proposed legislation or resolution.

For example, we have heard that one of them said he would have his neck cut off if the Senate or any other body finds out that Vice President Sara Duterte, his beloved “sister,” is part of the notorious Davao Death Squad. I just wonder if he would really go through this if indeed it were true. Perhaps he would say something like, “I am sorry, I was only joking!” if and when that time comes.

But perhaps the most telling of all the reactions to the proposed Senate resolution to arrest Quiboloy was that of Sen. Cynthia Villar. She said that she is good friends with the pastor and she would be ashamed to have “her friend arrested. You don’t do that to a friend!” Villar signed a document objecting to the request of Hontiveros to have Quiboloy arrested for contempt.

Senators Robinhood Padilla, Christopher “Bong” Go, Imee Marcos, and Villar were among the first to sign a letter seeking to reverse Hontiveros’ request to cite Quiboloy for contempt and to have him arrested. All of them are loudly and blatantly pro-Duterte, and therefore, pro-Quiboloy, based on their friendship ties with the patron and the client, in the equation.

Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa added to the list, saying that his good friend Quiboloy “cannot do anything disgusting” because he is a “most respected person” though he subsequently also said that as long as we are human beings, there is a possibility “we can commit mistakes.” Dela Rosa’s signature brings the signatory count to five. They need to make three more “instant friends” among their colleagues to overturn this request. But at what price?

A report earlier disclosed that a former follower of Quiboloy’s KOJC working as a landscaper of Glory Mountain witnessed that bags of firearms were brought to the Dutertes through Quiboloy’s posh helicopter. Glory Mountain is a sprawling luxurious resort and prayer retreat in the foothills of Mount Apo in Calinan, Davao City, filled with pine trees and beautifully landscaped.

Quiboloy’s deep friendship with the former president has been cited in other reports. Perhaps such a deep relationship has created a protective mantle of legal protection for Quiboloy, which continues until now that Duterte is no longer the president.

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