SC junks petition filed by Kapa 'donor'

THE Supreme Court (SC) en banc dismissed Tuesday, July 2, the petition seeking for P3-billion damages filed by a foundation that claimed to be a donor of Kapa Community Ministry International Inc. (Kapa).

The petition of Rhema International Livelihood Foundation, or Cirfund, also sought the impeachment of President Rodrigo Duterte, who had ordered the shutdown of Kapa for running an alleged investment scam.

Brian Keith Hosaka, head of the SC Public Information Office (PIO), said he does not know the reason for the dismissal of the complaint.

"What was related to me by the en banc that the case was dismissed. As for the reasons, we will wait for the formal resolution to be issued by the Supreme Court," he said.

"[The resolution will be officially released] most probably by next week. Ah wala we will just have to until the court releases it officially. The reasons will be stated there in full," he added.

The petition named President Duterte and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairperson Emilio Aquino as private respondents. Both are government officials.

It also named heads of the police, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, National Bureau of Investigation, SunStar Cebu and Rappler as public respondents. SunStar and Rappler are private media entities.

Kapa, a religious ground founded by Pastor Joel Apolinario in Mindanao, was ordered shut down for enticing members to "donate" at least P10,000 and a maximum of P2 million to get monthly "blessings" equivalent to 30 percent of the amount they "donated".

Aquino of SEC said Kapa's scheme is considered an investment scheme that is similar to the Ponzi scheme.

The SEC has charged Kapa with violation of the Securities Regulation Code before the Department of Justice. (Ryniel Berlanga/SunStar Philippines)