One would think a son of God would have the power to ward off physical ailments. This is, after all, someone who bragged he had stopped an earthquake just by yelling at it.
And yet, when Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder and televangelist Apollo Quiboloy complained of chest pains on November 7, he was given prompt medical attention at the PNP General Hospital.
Upon the order of a Pasig Court, Quiboloy was brought to the Philippine Heart Center the following day, and was supposed to be taken back to the PNP custodial facility on November 11. But the Quiboloy camp made a “very urgent” petition for medical furlough, and he can now stay at the hospital until Saturday to complete all recommended medical examinations.
“Marami po ‘yong kailangang gawin sa kanya…just to make sure po na hindi po malalagay sa alanganin po ‘yong kanyang buhay po at ‘yong kanyang medical condition po,” said Police spokesperson BGen. Jean Fajardo.
What an outrage.
The pastor, charged with human trafficking and sexual abuse, is said to have atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. The condition means that his heart is beating very fast and irregularly – a life-threatening condition, police say, presumably according to doctors. It may be causing symptoms like palpitations, dizziness, or shortness of breath.
The condition may indeed be serious – but how many other inmates accused of crimes have serious illnesses and who are equally in need of medical attention? Ideally, in the eyes of the law, they also deserve to ensure that their conditions do not worsen and that their lives are not endangered. How come they are not getting the same basic humane treatment accorded to Quiboloy?
This reveals two things to us mortals. First, just as we have known all along, Quiboloy is human after all. Too human, in fact, that if the mounting evidence against him were to be proven, his mind and flesh would be deemed too weak to resist the worldly calling of material gain and sexual gratification at the expense of those under his influence.
But the more tragic realization is that despite being outed for his transgressions, Quiboloy continues to be treated like a son of God. Anak ng Diyos.
What else could we call the use of resources of a premier government hospital, treatment by government doctors who could be helping indigents, and the services of police security guarding him in his hospital room where they could be outside protecting the citizenry against criminals? Let us also not forget that Quiboloy already cost taxpayers a considerable sum by hiding out for two weeks in his compound. His evasion used up precious police manpower, who stood by while KOJC lashed out at them and at journalists covering the standoff.
Saying they are sick has been a practice by high-profile personalities who, suddenly frail, want to gain sympathy when being made to account for their crimes. We should really stop extending mercy to those who used their power and influence to be merciless to others — especially if they do it in the guise of holiness.
