By JEFFREY DAMICOG
Sen. Koko Pimentel III will be invited to the National Bureau of Investigation for allegedly violating quarantine protocols once his self-quarantine ends.
“He will also be sent an invitation after na ng quarantine with all due respect to his present condition,” NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin said yesterday.
The NBI spokesman reminded that the lawmaker has been on self-quarantine after he announced that he tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease-2019.
Lavin noted that the NBI Anti-Graft Division, which is conducting the investigation, has prepared a letter invitation to Pimentel.
“I was told meron na itong invitation but out of respect for his condition yung naka-quarantine so this was not sent out.”
The lawmaker drew criticisms for visiting the Makati Medical Center last March 24 to accompany his pregnant wife.
Pimentel allegedly breached quarantine protocols since he was considered a Person Under Monitoring when he visited the hospital at that time.
The MMC denounced the actions of the senator.
TIME SOUGHT
The administration PDP-Laban had earlier asked the NBI to give Pimentel, party president, a few weeks to rest, recover, and beat COVID-19, before appearing.
Ron Munsayac, PDP-Laban executive and chief political officer of Pimentel, said that it is reasonable and logical for the NBI to invite Pimentel for questioning on his possible violation of quarantine protocols.
BABY CLEARED
Kathryna Yu-Pimentel posted yesterday the photo of her and Pimentel’s first daughter, Ma. Kathryna Helena. She called her daughter a “miracle baby.”
A Twitter account quoted the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City stating that the infant was tested negative for COVID-19 but there was no mention of result of the test on Mrs. Pimentel. There was no mention where and when was the Pimentel infant born. (Mario Casayuran)
WORK CONTINUES
Pasig City will continue with its efforts to address the needs of residents, Mayor Vico Sotto said, as it races to help its residents affected by the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NBI had earlier asked Sotto to explain his possible violation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act by allowing tricycles to operate.
Sotto told his constituents not to mind the issues being hurled against him and instead focus on helping each other to overcome the COVID-19 crisis.
“Ang mahalaga, tuloy ang trabaho,” he said in a Facebook post. “Focus tayo. Mula barangay hanggang nasyonal, magtulungan lang po tayo. Malalagpasan din natin ang krisis na dulot ng COVID-19,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sotto said the distribution of food packs to residents is ongoing, as well as the distribution of assistance to various sectors in Pasig. He also said cash assistance to be given to public utility vehicle drivers in Pasig has been increased to P4,000. (Jhon Casinas)
NBI DEFENDS PROBE
The NBI defended its decision to investigate Sotto.
Lavin explained that NBI investigators found out that Sotto allowed continuous tricycle operations in violation of the government directive which suspended public transportation under the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.
“May hawak ang aming imbestigation na meron continuous tricycle operations na ipinatutupad,” Lavin said.
The NBI spokesman pointed this out in response to claims that Sotto cannot be held liable for alleged acts of violation that may have occurred before Republic Act 11469, the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, was signed into law by President Duterte last March 25.
The NBI Anti-Graft Division has sent a letter to Sotto asking him to appear and explain his alleged violation of RA 11469.
“Yung sinasabi na walang retroactive effect, yes we know that. Kaya nga nilagay namin yun continuous tricycle operation,” Lavin explained.
The NBI spokesman noted that Sotto need not appear before NBI investigators on April 7. (Jeffrey Damicog)
