Pasig court junks Quiboloy's plea for hospital arrest

A Pasig court has dismissed the plea of the camp of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy for his hospital arrest.

"[B]ased sa manifestation ng court and defense kanina in open court, it is already denied," lawyers Ian Enterina and Joeie Domingo, the private prosecutors of complainant "Amanda," said in a message to reporters. 

They said that Amanda (not her real name) hopes that she will soon be able to testify.

"Alias Amanda hopes that all pending incidents prior to trial will now be resolved so that she can testify in court and prove her cases," the lawyers said.

Amanda, a former KOJC has accused Quiboloy and several of the group's members of abusing her when she was just a minor.

A report by Glen Juego on Super Radyo dzBB quoted Quiboloy’s legal counsel, Atty. Israelito Torreon, as saying that they may file a motion for consideration following the court's decision.

Quiboloy's camp filed the motion with the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 159 for the hospital arrest of Quiboloy and one of his co-accused, Ingrid Canada, in September.

It had argued that the two have existing medical conditions and are having a hard time at the custodial facility. The police has refuted this, however. 

When sought for comment, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said such decisions were up to the judge.

"It depends on the court on how they view the arguments posed before her… and we just have to believe what the court says and what the court believes to be proper in this case," he said in an ambush interview.

Quiboloy is currently detained at Philippine National Police Custodial Center inside Camp Crame while Canada was among his co-respondents who were transferred to the Pasig City Jail.

Quiboloy is facing a non-bailable qualified human trafficking charge under Section 4(a) of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, before a Pasig court.

He is also facing charges under Section 5(b) and  Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act. —KBK, GMA Integrated News