DOJ sets Koko probe over quarantine breach

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) may start next month its preliminary hearing on the criminal complaint filed against Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III for allegedly breaching quarantine protocols, an official announced yesterday.

Prosecutor General Benedicto Malconteno said the preliminary investigation may take place in mid-May after the extended enhanced community quarantine has been lifted.

“A subpoena will be issued next week,” Malcontento said. 

He said they would send the subpoena to Pimentel, along with the criminal complaint so the senator could prepare his counter-affidavit.

Assistant State Prosecutor Wendell Bendoval will handle the complaint filed by lawyer Rico Quicho against Pimentel.

Quicho accused Pimentel of violating Republic Act 11332 or the law on mandatory reporting of notifiable diseases and events of public health concern when he accompanied his then pregnant wife Kathryna to the Makati Medical Center (MMC) on March 24 despite showing symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

Pimentel had explained that he was already in the hospital when he received a call from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, confirming that he tested positive for the virus.

Kathryna said he had been on 10-day quarantine prior to the visit.

The MMC slammed the senator’s “reckless” action, saying they had to put on quarantine 22 hospital workers and shut down the delivery complex after the visit.

Pimentel has apologized to the MMC.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he had read the complaint and forwarded it to the National Prosecution Service.