Senator Koko Pimentel
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has rescheduled the investigation on Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III’s alleged violation of quarantine protocols “tentatively” to June 18.
This is according to Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento.
Initially, the DOJ set the preliminary investigation on May 20 after issuing a subpoena and a copy of the complaint to Pimentel on Tuesday.
Lawyer Rico Quicho, the principal complainant, said that he received an order from the DOJ to submit a hard copy of the complaint and to swear under oath within five days from the lifting of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.
Quicho filed the complaint against Pimentel for his alleged violation of Republic Act No. 11332 also known as the “Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases” and the set regulations from the Department of Health (DOH).
Pimentel received numerous criticisms on social media last month after he accompanied his wife to Makati Medical Center (MMC) even if he was supposedly under observation himself and should have been under quarantine for suspected COVID-19 infection. He found out that he tested positive for COVID-19 while he was at the hospital with his wife.
The MMC, on the other hand, condemned Pimentel’s “irresponsible and reckless action.”
Senator Pimentel countered that he only learned of his COVID-19 status when he was already in the hospital and argued that he left immediately as soon as he learned his condition. He apologized for what he did after receiving massive backlash on social media.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra promised a fair investigation on this matter. (RJ Espartinez)