- Quiboloy’s lawyer clarifies request for hospital arrest, not in Davao City
THE LEGAL counsel for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ said Senator Risa Hontiveros was misinformed when she criticized their request for a special accommodation for Pastor Apollo Quiboloy due to his medical condition.
Atty. Israelito Torreon clarified they requested hospital arrest for Quiboloy in Manila, not to transfer his custody to Davao City.
Earlier, Hontiveros said, “Why Davao? Is it because he has an influential friend there? “He has no right to choose where he wants to be detained. He is no longer inside the ‘King Dome,’ so he should stop acting like God.”
In response, Torreon remarked, “Senator Risa Hontiveros might have been misinformed. We did not move for hospital arrest in Davao.”
Torreon explained, “Our alternative motion is for hospital arrest but not in Davao City. We made this request because of the pastor’s delicate medical condition and his age.”
He further elaborated, “We requested this from the court, hoping they might grant it because we feel sorry for the pastor. He is in a relatively small cell with poor ventilation, and at his age, there’s a high possibility his condition could worsen.”
“However, it seems the senator misinterpreted our motion. I want to clarify that it doesn’t mean the pastor wants to dictate where he will be detained. It’s just a motion or request that almost everyone with cases in the Philippines makes,” he concluded.
On Friday, Sept. 13, Pastor Quiboloy and his co-accused pleaded not guilty during their arraignment for qualified human trafficking at the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 159.
Quiboloy is currently in the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The pastor and five other co-accused are facing charges of sections 5(b) and 10(a) of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.
The other five co-accused are Jackielyn Roy, Sylvia Cemañes, Cresente, Paulene, and Ingrid Canada.
However, the pastor could not post a bond for his temporary liberty since he is also facing a human trafficking case under Republic Act No. 9208, which is non-bailable. Quiboloy pleaded not guilty on both charges.
