Quiboloy’s Plea for Hospital Arrest Rejected for the Second Time
QUIBOLOY – For the second time, a Pasig City court has turned down the hospital arrest request of televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, ruling that his health needs are already being properly addressed while in jail.
A Pasig City court has once again rejected the request of televangelist Apollo Quiboloy for hospital arrest, ruling that his health concerns are already being sufficiently addressed while he remains under detention at the Pasig City Jail.
In a four-page order dated October 8, the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 159 emphasized that “[H]e continues to receive appropriate, timely, and sufficient medical care at the Pasig City General Hospital, under the supervision of competent medical professionals.” The court maintained that Quiboloy’s medical condition does not warrant his transfer to a hospital facility outside of detention.
Quiboloy, who faces a non-bailable charge of qualified human trafficking before the same court, is accused of s*xually exploiting a minor who was a member of his Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) sect. The high-profile televangelist sought to be placed under hospital arrest at either the Philippine Heart Center or The Medical City, citing his fragile health condition.
According to Quiboloy, he has been suffering from persistent shortness of breath, intermittent fever, muscle pain, and cough since being detained. He also cited his age and pre-existing conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, and recurring pneumonia, noting his repeated hospitalizations since November 2024.
“Invoking the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Mandela Rules), accused Quiboloy maintains that the State must ensure access to health care for persons deprived of liberty,” the order penned by Acting Presiding Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa stated.
However, state prosecutors opposed his plea, arguing that the motion merely repeated arguments that had already been dismissed when he previously sought house arrest earlier this year. They contended that his health concerns do not make him exceptional, pointing out that other detainees also suffer from comparable or even more serious medical conditions.
In its ruling, the Pasig RTC referenced a medical report dated September 30, which showed that Quiboloy’s attending physician at the Pasig City General Hospital observed improvements in his vital signs. The report also noted that he had not reported any new health complaints since September 24. Additionally, specialists from the hospital’s pulmonary, cardiology, and nephrology departments cleared him for discharge on September 25 and 26.
“In view of the foregoing, the court finds no compelling reason to place accused Quiboloy under hospital arrest at either Philippine Heart Center or Medical City,” the court concluded.
This latest denial marks the second time Quiboloy’s plea for hospital confinement has been rejected, reinforcing the court’s position that his current medical treatment remains sufficient within the Pasig City Jail system.
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