DOJ reopens probe on Pimentel’s quarantine breach

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday reopened its probe of Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III for alleged quarantine breach after receiving additional documents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Assistant State Prosecutor Wendell Bendoval said he received on Sept. 4 a copy of the NBI memorandum dated Aug. 24, including incident reports from the Makati Medical Center (MMC).

Pimentel accompanied his then pregnant wife to the MMC on March 24 despite undergoing quarantine for coronavirus disease 2019.

He said he immediately left the hospital after he was informed that he had tested positive for COVID-19.

Pimentel received flak for violating quarantine protocols.

Last April, former University of Makati law dean Rico Quicho filed a complaint against Pimentel before the DOJ for violation of Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.