Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, said Zubiri signed the arrest order on Tuesday (March 19).

Summoned numerous times to appear before the House to respond to accusations of sexual abuse aired by witnesses in previous hearings, Quiboloy was granted until last Friday (March 15) to explain why the arrest order must not be issued by the Senate.

Hontiveros said Quiboloy’s response to the show cause order was unsatisfactory, prompting the panel to pursue his arrest.

Quiboloy, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ who claims to be the appointed son of God, is also the the object of another order of arrest, this time issued by the House of Representatives.

The religious leader has also allegedly ignored summonses for him to appear before the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.

A statement issued by Zubiri’s office said that Quiboloy has been “ordered arrested and detained at the Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms” until such time that he will appear and testify in the Committee, or otherwise purges himself of that contempt.”

The one-page document issued by Zubiri’s office stated: “The Sergeant=-At-Arms is hereby directed to carry out and implement this Order and make a return hereof within 24 hours from its enforcement.”

Zubiri said his act of signing the arrest order was “ministerial’ and follows the rules of the Senate.

“We are signing the order to protect our committee system, to preserve the Senate’s power of inquiry with process to enforce it,” the Senate leader said.

` He added: “Should the witness appear during the next hearing and purge himself of contempt, there will be no need to order his arrest.”

Prior to his signing the arrest order, Zubiri was prodded by Hontiveros to sign the document in order that the House panel can resume its hearings on the issue.