The Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 159 has formally denied the bail petitions filed by detained Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy and five co-accused individuals in connection with their qualified human trafficking case involving allegations of sexual abuse and labor exploitation.
In a 23-page resolution dated July 20, the court ruled that the prosecution had sufficiently demonstrated strong evidence of guilt against Quiboloy and co-accused Sylvia Cemañes, Paulene Canada, Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, and Ingrid Canada for two counts of qualified trafficking allegedly committed by a syndicate.
“At this juncture, the prosecution has sufficiently shown that the evidence of guilt against all the accused is strong on the two crimes of qualified human trafficking committed by a syndicate,” the order stated.
“Thus, given these pieces of evidence against all the accused at this point which establish a great presumption of guilt for purposes of bail, the Court must deny their petitions for bail,” it added.
The court emphasized that the ruling is limited to the bail petitions and does not reflect any final determination of the accused’s criminal liability.
“The Court is merely tasked with resolving the Petitions for Bail filed by all the accused, and not with rendering a judgment on the merits of the case. There remains a long process ahead, and both parties have the opportunity to present further evidence,” it said.
Quiboloy currently faces a non-bailable charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, which penalizes qualified human trafficking. He also faces charges before a Quezon City court under Sections 5(b) and 10(a) of Republic Act No. 7610, the law protecting children against abuse, exploitation, and discrimination. (RRN)
