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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider DOJ to start prelim probe of raps vs Pimentel on May 20

DOJ to start prelim probe of raps vs Pimentel on May 20

Published Apr 14, 2020 12:00 am
By Jeffrey Damicog The Department of Justice (DOJ) plans to start on May 20 its preliminary investigation (PI) on the complaint filed against Senator Aquilino Martin “Koko” Pimentel III for allegedly breaching the government’s quarantine protocols. (MANILA BULLETIN) (MANILA BULLETIN) “Preliminary investigation tentatively set on May 20,” Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento told reporters on Tuesday, April 14. Malcontento said a subpoena was also issued on Tuesday to Pimentel who was directed to appear at the DOJ on May 20. The Prosecutor General has already assigned Assistant State Prosecutor Wendell Bendoval to conduct the preliminary investigation of the complaint that former University of Makati law dean Rico Quicho filed through e-mail before the DOJ last April 6. Quicho revealed that he was instructed by the prosecutor to appear before the DOJ five days after the enhanced community quarantine ends to submit a hard copy of the complaint and its annexes and then swear under oath the authenticity of his complaint. In his complaint, 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) regulations. “With this, I hope the DOJ will swiftly act and pursue legal actions against Senator Koko Pimentel,” Quicho said. “We trust that the 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 to the Makati Medical Center (MMC) with his wife, Kathryna. MMC Medical Director Dr. Saturnino Javier 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 that he tested positive for the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). His wife gave birth on March 29 to their daughter.
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