By Jeffrey Damicog
Senator Aquilino Martin “Koko” Pimentel III will be invited by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for allegedly violating quarantine protocols once his self-quarantine ends.
Senator Aquilino Pimentel III (Senate of the Philippines / MANILA BULLETIN)
“He will also be sent an invitation after na ng quarantine with all due respect to his present condition (He will also be sent an invitation after his quarantine with all due respect to his present condition),” NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin said on Thursday, April 2.
The NBI spokesman said Pimentel has been on self-quarantine after he announced that he tested positive for the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Lavin noted that the NBI’s Anti-Graft Division (NBI-AGD) which is conducting the investigation has already prepared a letter invitation to Pimentel.
“I was told meron na itong invitation but out of respect for his condition yung naka-quarantine so this was not sent out (The letter has been prepared but was not sent out of respect to his present condition.
The lawmaker drew criticisms for visiting the Makati Medical Center (MMC) last March 24 to accompany his pregnant wife.
Pimentel allegedly breached quarantine protocols since he was considered a person under monitoring (PUM) when he visited the hospital at that time.
The MMC already denounced the actions of the senator.
“His admonition for everyone to observe social distancing, enhanced community quarantine measures, washing of hands, and personal hygiene are nothing but empty rhetoric because he himself violated all those,” MMC medical director Dr. Saturnino Javier said in a statement.