EDITORIAL — Medical furlough

Cult leader Apollo Quiboloy is currently out of jail and on an extended medical furlough after suffering irregular heartbeat.

PNP spokeswoman Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing that last Thursday, Quiboloy complained about chest discomfort, prompting the PNP General Hospital to conduct a medical examination. Tests revealed that he had an irregular heartbeat that may be considered life-threatening.

He was transported to a hospital and was scheduled to return to detention last Monday, but a court said he can stay up to November 16 at the hospital.

We cannot be faulted for seeing this is as an accommodation extended to only those who are prominent.

Time and again we have seen how the rich and influential get preferential treatment. The son of a Cabinet secretary got his drug case heard in mere months, ahead of others waiting for their own day in court. Another religious leader who was accused of parricide --a non-bailable offense-- was allowed to bail for “humanitarian consideration”. A prominent politician jailed for molesting a child was released early because of “good conduct”. Another convict was pardoned and cleared of his crime; he is now a senator of the republic, albeit a non-performing one. Another supposedly jailed character was allowed outside for a “social function”.

Those are just some of the cases we know of. We are sure there are other accommodations being hushed up so they won’t cause public outrage.

Quiboloy might not even actually need medical treatment, and just wants a break from the prison lifestyle he isn’t used to.

Of course, there is the other side of the coin here. We can give Quiboloy the benefit of the doubt that his health is really under threat here and he does need immediate medical treatment.

If this is the case, then by all means he must be kept healthy. He has to answer for the things he is accused of.