PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will come up with a decision in a couple of weeks whether to grant the request of the United States to extradite pastor Apollo Quiboloy, Malacañang said on Monday.
The extradition request was in connection with Quiboloy’s 2021 indictment in California, where he was charged with sex trafficking of minors, fraud and bulk cash smuggling.
Quiboloy, who claimed to be the "appointed son of God," is facing charges of qualified human trafficking and sexual abuse of minors before Philippine courts.
The Department of Foreign Affairs recently confirmed it has received the US government's request for the extradition of Quiboloy and has endorsed it to the Department of Justice.
"We were able to talk earlier with the president, and he said that this [extradition request] should be studied thoroughly," Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said in Filipino during a press briefing.
"In a couple of weeks they will announce the decision on this matter," the Palace press officer added.
She said that under the country's extradition treaty with the US, the Philippine government has two options in dealing with Quiboloy's case.
"It's either Pastor Quiboloy will remain here while facing trial here in the Philippines or the charges against him will be suspended temporarily and he will be extradited and be sent to the US," Castro said.
The Philippines signed an extradition treaty with the United States in November 1994.
