Malacañang said Sen. Koko Pimentel has no immunity from arrest for violating the Makati Medical Center’s quarantine protocols when he brought his pregnant wife to the hospital despite being positive for the coronavirus disease.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Pimentel can be arrested for breaching quarantine protocols, saying the lawmaker was only immune during his speeches in the Senate.
“Iyong immunity papasok lamang iyon kung ikaw ay nasa loob ng Kongreso at nagbibigay ka ng pahayag during the special session,” he said.
“Iba ho iyong ginawa niya, hindi siya immune doon. Walang immune doon,” he added.
Panelo reiterated that Pimentel would not have gone to MMC if he knew he was positive for COVID-19. He, however, said the lawmaker should have been more careful.
“Sabi niya hindi niya alam. Kung alam niya iyon, eh palagay ko ni hindi siya lalapit sa kaniyang asawa at sa kaniyang magiging anak sapagkat mahahawa at mabibingit sa kamatayan,” he said. (Genalyn Kabiling)
