Zubiri said the subpoena has been readied for his signature.

“I have been told by my staff that the issuance of the subpoena for Pastor Apollo Quiboloy has been prepared and is now ready for my signature,” Zubiri said.

The Senate leader gave the assurance a day after Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros’ disclosure that she had sent the request for subpoena on February 6.

On Thursday, Hontiveros followed up on her request.

Quiboloy’s presence has become imperative after the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality received the testimonies of several former followers of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, which Quiboloy founded, accused him of sexually and physically abusing them.

The pastor who styles himself as the “appointed son of God”, has not appeared before the Senate panel in two previous hearing son the issue.

Zubiri said he has no intention of turning down the request to subpoena Quiboloy, saying that he will sign the document as soon as he returned from his trip to the Visayas.

He explained that piling administrative work in his office resulting from the on-going controversy triggered by the People’s Initiative signature drive on Charter change kept him busy in hte past several days.

“The last few weeks have been marred with attacks against the Senate and our democratic institutions, due to the fake People’s Initiative,” he said.

Aside from the Senate, the House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Franchises has also demanded Quiboloy’s presence in its next hearing on the proposal to revoke the legislative franchise of SMNI, a broadcast station he allegedly owns.