Philippine lawmaker Perci Cendaña renewed his call Friday for the Department of Justice to expedite the extradition of religious leader Apollo Quiboloy to the United States, where he faces an arrest warrant linked to alleged sex trafficking, the Daily Tribune reported. Cendaña, an Akbayan Party-List representative, made the appeal while submitting a counter-affidavit at the Pasig City Prosecutor’s Office in response to libel and cyberlibel complaints brought by Quiboloy. The Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder also filed complaints against fellow lawmaker Leila de Lima and Senator Risa Hontiveros. Cendaña said he had repeatedly raised extradition during hearings in the lower chamber and had been told the request remained under review. He argued that a prompt decision would help Quiboloy’s alleged victims pursue justice. The report did not announce an extradition decision or a timetable for transferring him to U.S. authorities. In answering the libel complaints, Cendaña said he included testimony given by Quiboloy’s alleged victims during a Senate inquiry. He maintained that his remarks were not libelous and characterized the complaints as an effort to silence critics seeking accountability. Quiboloy’s lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, offered a different account. When filing the complaints on September 11, Topacio argued that the lawmakers had spoken as though Quiboloy had already been convicted of alleged human trafficking charges being heard at the Pasig Regional Trial Court. Topacio emphasized his client’s presumption of innocence and argued that the statements violated the sub judice rule concerning discussion of matters before a court. The allegations remain contested; the report described no conviction. The renewed extradition appeal comes alongside those domestic proceedings. According to the Tribune, Quiboloy also faces a separate charge in Quezon City involving an alleged violation of the Philippines’ law protecting children against abuse, exploitation and discrimination.