Quiboloy's bail petition denied by Pasig court
In a 23-page order dated July 20, the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 159 denied the petition separately filed by Quiboloy, Sylvia Cemañes, Paulene Canada, Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, and Ingrid Canada.
'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 court said.
'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, however, stressed that the resolution does not determine the ultimate outcome of the cases.
'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.
GMA News Online has asked Quiboloy's camp for comment.
Meanwhile, the camp of the complainant welcomed the court's ruling.
'We are so happy and grateful that the Petition for Bail of Quiboloy et al has been denied, meaning that the Honorable Court found that the evidence of guilt is strong,' private prosecutor Atty. Joahna Paula Domingo when asked for comment.
'We are hopeful that justice is within reach,' she added.
Quiboloy is facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended.
The Davao City-based religious leader is also facing charges under Section 5(b) and Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act with a QC court. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
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