No Special Treatment: Court Denies Quiboloy’s Bid for Hospital Arrest—Again
QUIBOLOY – Televangelist Apollo Quiboloy’s request for hospital arrest has been rejected yet again—this time by the Pasig City RTC, which said his medical condition is under proper supervision at the city jail.
A Pasig City court has once again turned down the appeal of Apollo Quiboloy for hospital arrest, ruling that his medical needs are already being properly managed while he remains in detention at the Pasig City Jail.
In a four-page order issued on October 8, the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 159 stated 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 concluded that there was no basis to allow Quiboloy’s transfer to a private hospital.
The religious leader is currently facing a non-bailable charge of qualified human trafficking before the same court, accused of s*xually exploiting a minor member of his Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) organization. Quiboloy requested that he be confined instead at the Philippine Heart Center or The Medical City, claiming his health had deteriorated.
He cited recurring symptoms such as shortness of breath, fever, muscle pain, and coughing while in custody. He also pointed to his age and existing illnesses—including hypertension, diabetes, and repeated pneumonia attacks—and mentioned that he had been hospitalized multiple times 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,” stated the order signed by Acting Presiding Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa.
Prosecutors, however, opposed his motion, stressing that it merely reiterated points already raised and dismissed in his earlier bid for house arrest. They added that his medical condition was not extraordinary, noting that other inmates face similar or even more serious health challenges.
In its decision, the Pasig RTC cited a medical report dated September 30, which indicated that Quiboloy’s attending physician observed improvements in his vital signs. The same report mentioned that he had not complained of any new symptoms since September 24. Specialists in pulmonary, cardiology, and nephrology had also 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 ruling said.
This marks the second denial of Quiboloy’s hospital arrest request, affirming the court’s stance that the treatment he receives at the Pasig City Jail remains adequate for his condition.