By Benjamin Pulta
MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Thursday it is in the final stages of legal scrubbing of the United States’ extradition request for religious leader Apollo C. Quiboloy.
“We’re in the final stages already of the vetting. Nagli-legal scrubbing na lang kami (We are just conducting legal scrubbing),” Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said in a press briefing.
He said many factors must be considered, but the petition will be filed within the year.
“Of course, the Philippines would comply with its obligations under its extradition treaty with the United States. And of course, we are now governed by the Supreme Court rules on extradition,” he said.
Quiboloy is detained at a Pasig City jail on qualified human trafficking and child abuse charges.
In 2021, the US indicted Quiboloy on various charges, including sex trafficking of minors, fraud, and bulk cash smuggling.
In August, the US formally requested Quiboloy’s extradition in connection with criminal cases pending against him in California.
The proceedings will follow the 1994 Philippines-US Extradition Treaty and the Supreme Court’s (SC) updated rules on extradition, where the Philippine government may choose to prioritize local court proceedings and prosecution or handle the matter through provisions for temporary surrender.
In 2025, the high tribunal approved guidelines for handling international extradition requests, provisional arrests, hold departure orders, bail, and appeals.
The SC said the rules are sui generis (in a class by itself) and summary in nature and do not determine an individual’s guilt or innocence but rather verify compliance with domestic laws and applicable treaties.
Under the rules, central authority rests with the Secretary of Justice or designated state counsels, who evaluate and file the verified petition before the trial court.
The court may, by itself, issue a warrant of arrest for extradition upon a judicial determination of probable cause. A judgment must be rendered within 30 calendar days from the final witness or pleading.
Appeals may then be taken to the Court of Appeals (CA), which must resolve the case within three months. The CA’s decision is final and immediately executory. (PNA)
