President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is expected to announce within the next few weeks whether the Philippines will allow the extradition of religious leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to the United States, Malacañang said Monday.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos told officials that the US request must first be carefully studied before he announces his decision.
“We spoke to the President a while ago and he said that we really need to study this carefully. But in a couple of weeks they will announce what the decision will be,” Castro told reporters.
The United States is seeking Quiboloy’s extradition to face charges there involving sex trafficking and racketeering.
Castro said the Philippines has two options under its extradition treaty with the United States.
Quiboloy could remain in the Philippines while his local cases proceed, or the proceedings here could be temporarily suspended while he is extradited to the US to face the charges there.
“Nasa agreement po ‘yan, nasa treaty natin with the US at kasama po ito sa provision. Kaya meron tayong dalawang options—either manatili dito si Pastor Quiboloy habang dinidinig ang kaso dito sa Pilipinas, pero pwede na temporarily ma-hold, ma-suspend ang kaso at magkaroon ng extradition at maipadala si Pastor Quiboloy sa US,” Castro said.
She declined to say which option Marcos prefers, saying the President would announce his position after the government completes its review.
“Of course, I can’t say, because the President said he will announce his stance on this matter in a couple of weeks,” she said.
Castro stressed that the request must go through the proper legal process before a decision is made.
“Lahat naman ‘to ay dapat na dumaan sa proseso dahil may batas naman po tayo. Magde-decide po sila. Ibibigay niya po kung ano ‘yung dapat na gawin patungkol dito,” she said.
Quiboloy was arrested in the Philippines in September 2024 and is facing criminal cases involving child abuse and qualified human trafficking.
He pleaded not guilty and is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail.
The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier confirmed that it received the US extradition request and endorsed it to the Department of Justice, which serves as the Philippines’ central authority for extradition requests.
