The Department of Justice (DoJ) has decided to push back to June the start of the preliminary investigation over the complaint filed against Senator Aquilino Martin “Koko” Pimentel III over alleged violation of quarantine protocols.
“Tentatively reset to June 18,” said Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento in a text message on Saturday, May 16.
With Metro Manila placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), Malcontento explained the further easing of the quarantine will determine if the preliminary investigation will push through or not this June.
Earlier, Malcontento said the preliminary investigation will be held at the DoJ this May 20.
Malcontento has already assigned Assistant State Prosecutor Wendell Bendoval to conduct the preliminary investigation of the complaint that was filed last April 6 by former University of Makati law dean Rico Quicho, the former spokesman of former Vice President Jejomar Binay and late Chief Justice Renato Corona.
In his complaint, Quicho accused Pimentel 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.
The case concerns the March 24 visit of Pimentel who accompanied his wife, Kathryna, to the Makati Medical Center (MMC).
MMC had 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).
A few days after his visit to the MMC, Pimentel confirmed he was tested positive for having the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Meanwhile, his wife already gave birth last March 29. (Jeffrey Damicog)
