Filipino cult leader Apollo Quiboloy fended off questions at a Senate hearing in the Philippines today.

The pastor, who calls himself the 'Son of God', defended himself before the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality conducting a probe over his alleged sexual crimes.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, who chairs the committee, asked: 'Did you sexually abuse the women and minors, and did you use religion to do it?'

Quiboloy denied the accusations and said he would answer the charges 'in the proper forum'.

He said: 'There is no truth to what they are saying. If they have criminal charges against me, they should file a case and I will answer them there in the proper forum in the court.'

Quiboloy is currently jailed in Camp Crame, the headquarters of the Philippine National Police, in Quezon City, Metro Manila.

He was wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation for alleged sex trafficking of children, sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, conspiracy, and bulk cash smuggling. He also allegedly traffics members around the world, with an inner circle of women who perform what they call 'nighttime duties', taking it in turns to sleep with him.

He grew his following through radio, televangelism, and social media.

Quiboloy has ties with the powerful Duterte family ruling local politics in Davao City. He served as spiritual adviser to the vitriolic former President Rodrigo Duterte and allegedly enjoyed the politician's protections until he stepped down in 2022.