Secretary General Reginald Velasco said the House of Representatives is readying its detention center for controversial Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, in case the House leadership decides to take custody of him amid his unwillingness to comply with summons to a panel hearing.
Velasco says the rooms in the detention center are air-conditioned and accessible to the relatives of the detained person.
'Pleasant experience' promised as House readies detention center for Quiboloy
Mar 14, 2024 06:25 AM
At a glance
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco (left), Pastor Apollo Quiboloy (MANILA BULLETIN)
The House of Representatives is readying its detention center for the controversial Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, in case the House leadership decides to take custody of him amid his unwillingness to comply with summons to a panel hearing.
Thus, bared Secretary General Reginald Velasco in a press briefing Thursday, March 14.
The particular detention center is a building near the south gate of Batasan Complex in Quezon City. Batasan Complex is where the 300-plus House members hold office.
Velasco was quick to clarify that the detention facility wasn't exclusively meant for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) church leader and self-proclaimed "Appointed Son of God".
"Not just for Pastor Quiboloy but for anyone else who would be cited in contempt and be arrested by our sergeant-at-arms," he said.
Velasco described the area as a place "for future or incoming detainees can stay for a while and be comfortable".
"Hopefully they will enjoy their stay here. We promise them a pleasant experience," he said with a grin.
Receiving area of the detention center (Contributed photo)
"These rooms are air-conditioned, accessible to the relatives of the person in detention and to the media, whenever necessary. You can monitor their stay," Velasco, the highest-ranked civilian official in the House, told reporters.
"It will be ready by tomorrow (Friday)," he added.
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Velasco said the detainees may also jog within Batasan Complex if they wish; granted, they will be accompanied by an escort.
Quiboloy's legal counsel, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, had earlier pleaded to the House Committee on Legislative Franchises to defer the implementation of its arrest order against the pastor to Friday, March 15, pending their meeting in Davao City.
The House panel cited Quiboloy for contempt during its hearing on television network SMNI's alleged franchise violations Tuesday afternoon, March 12. Quiboloy is the founder of SMNI.