The Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 159 denied on Wednesday, March 12, the house arrest request of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder and senatorial candidate Apollo Quiboloy, citing lack of merit.
Acting Presiding Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa issued the order after Quiboloy sought house arrest on medical and humanitarian grounds. However, the court ruled that such a request has no legal basis under the Rules of Criminal Procedure or the Constitution.
Quiboloy, who is currently detained for human trafficking, proposed house arrest at the Garden of Eden Resort in Davao City, the KOJC Compound in Quezon City, or in Tagaytay City.
“In this regard, mere conjectures regarding the potential deterioration of his health, while in detention, are insufficient to justify the grant of house arrest,” the order stated.
The court also noted that his health can be managed through medical care available in detention.
"Likewise, the Court maintains that medical access and house arrest are not intertwined, considering that the health of accused Quiboloy can be safeguarded while in detention through the medical available at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology clinic and those which the Court may prescribe," it said.
The prosecution also raised concerns about the propriety of placing Quiboloy under house arrest at KOJC sites, considering that the alleged offenses occurred there.
“After a careful evaluation of the arguments of the parties, the Court resolves to deny the motion for house arrest filed by accused Quiboloy for lack of merit,” it declared.