Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Friday that there will be no reason for suspects in the flood control scandal to seek hospital arrest, as the new Quezon City Jail in Payatas is equipped to handle detainees’ medical needs.
Remulla made the remarks after inspecting the newly completed facility with Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) chair Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr. and former Public Works Secretary Rogelio ‘Babes’ Singson.
The jail, which can accommodate 200 to 1,000 individuals, is being prepared for possible detainees linked to the ongoing corruption probe.
‘We have an infirmary here. If dialysis is needed, we’ll install a dialysis machine. If heart monitoring equipment is needed, we’ll provide that,’ Remulla said. ‘There’s no more excuse to say they need to be at St. Luke’s.’
‘The anticipation of death is worse than death itself. They’re the ones anticipating, not us,’ he said. ‘We’re just showing what the law provides.’
The facility, located near the Sandiganbayan, meets the court’s proximity and capacity requirements for detainees facing trial, Remulla said.
Reyes and Singson joined the inspection to assess the jail’s readiness as the government moves to ensure proper detention arrangements for individuals who may be charged in connection with alleged irregularities in flood control projects.