By Jeffrey Damicog
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is eyeing to send by next week summons to Senator Aquilino Martin “Koko” Pimentel who is facing a complaint for allegedly breaching quarantine protocols.
Sen. Koko Pimentel
(Senate of the Philippines / MANILA BULLETIN) “We will issue subpoena likely next week,” said Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento. Molcentento said that the subpoena will also include the complaint that was filed by former University of Makati law dean Rico Quicho before the DOJ on Monday, April 6. Quicho, the former spokesman of former Vice President Jejomar Binay and late Chief Justice Renato Corona, said Pimentel should be held liable for violating Republic Act No. 11332, the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, and its implementing rules and other Department of Health (DOH). “With this, I hope the DOJ will swiftly act and pursue legal actions against Senator Koko Pimentel,” Quicho previously stated. “We trust that DOJ will be true to its commitment to the Filipino people to uphold the rule of law without fear or favor,” he added. The case concerns the March 24 visit of Pimentel who accompanied his wife, Kathryna, at the Makati Medical Center (MMC). MMC had denounced the lawmaker’s actions since he was supposed to be under self-quarantine at that time when he was considered a person under monitoring (PUM). After his visit, Pimentel confirmed he was tested positive for having the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Meanwhile, his wife already gave birth last March 29.
Sen. Koko Pimentel(Senate of the Philippines / MANILA BULLETIN) “We will issue subpoena likely next week,” said Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento. Molcentento said that the subpoena will also include the complaint that was filed by former University of Makati law dean Rico Quicho before the DOJ on Monday, April 6. Quicho, the former spokesman of former Vice President Jejomar Binay and late Chief Justice Renato Corona, said Pimentel should be held liable for violating Republic Act No. 11332, the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, and its implementing rules and other Department of Health (DOH). “With this, I hope the DOJ will swiftly act and pursue legal actions against Senator Koko Pimentel,” Quicho previously stated. “We trust that DOJ will be true to its commitment to the Filipino people to uphold the rule of law without fear or favor,” he added. The case concerns the March 24 visit of Pimentel who accompanied his wife, Kathryna, at the Makati Medical Center (MMC). MMC had denounced the lawmaker’s actions since he was supposed to be under self-quarantine at that time when he was considered a person under monitoring (PUM). After his visit, Pimentel confirmed he was tested positive for having the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Meanwhile, his wife already gave birth last March 29.