Court junks Quiboloy’s plea for hospital arrest

The request of detained religious leader to be placed under hospital arrest was denied by a Pasig City court, ruling that his medical condition does not warrant such special treatment.

In a six-page order dated 8 October 2025, Acting Presiding Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa of the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 159 junked Apollo Quiboloy’s motion for hospital arrest for lack of merit. The court likewise denied as moot the prosecution’s motion for reconsideration of an earlier order allowing the accused to undergo medical examinations at the Philippine Heart Center.

Quiboloy, 75, founding leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), sought confinement either at the Philippine Heart Center or The Medical City, citing persistent shortness of breath, fever, muscle pain, and cough while in detention. 

Likewise, Quiboloy invoked his age and several chronic illnesses including hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, and recurrent pneumonia.

The camp of the religious leader argued that the State is obliged under international human rights standards and jurisprudence to ensure the health and safety of persons deprived of liberty.

But the prosecution opposed the plea, saying Quiboloy merely repeated arguments from his previously denied motion for house arrest and that his condition did not make him distinct from other detainees.

The court in rejecting the motion, cited a progress report from the Pasig City Jail superintendent and a clinical abstract from Quiboloy’s attending physicians at the Pasig City General Hospital and the Philippine Heart Center. 

The medical reports indicated that his vital signs had improved, that he had no health complaints since 24 September, and that he was cleared for discharge by specialists in pulmonary, cardiology, and nephrology on 25 and 26 September.

“The Court finds no compelling reason for hospital arrest, as his medical needs are being adequately and consistently attended to while in custody,” the order read. Quiboloy is facing multiple criminal cases before the Pasig court.