Koko Pimentel: DOJ Reopens Probe Into Senator's Quarantine Breach

DOJ Reopens Probe On Senator Koko Pimentel’s Quarantine Breach Case

KOKO PIMENTEL – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has reopened its probe into the quarantine breach complaint agaisnt Senator Koko Pimentel.

Last March, Senator Koko Pimentel broke the quarantine protocol after going to Makati Medical Center as a Person Under Investigation (PUI) for novel coronavirus (COVID-19). He went to the hospital to accompany his wife as she gave birth to their son.

Makati Med director Saturnino Javier said the politician risked the lives of the patients and staff of the hospital. Since then, Pimentel has been on the hot seat.

Sen. Koko Pimentel explained that his trip to the hospital was “essential” but he was lambasted by the netizens. Saturnino Javier said his action was “irresponsible and reckless.”

Five months after Sen. Koko Pimentel’s quarantine breach, the DOJ has reopened its investigation. Based on a report from ABS-CBN News, the DOJ recently received additional documents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)

According to the report, Assistant State Prosecutor Wendell Bendoval said he received a copy of NBI memorandum on September 4. It contained reports from Makati Med regarding the incident last March.

Sen. Koko Pimentel said he left the hospital immediately after he was informed that he tested positive for coronavirus. Lawyer Rico Quicho filed a complaint against the senator for violating Republic Act 11332 of the ‘Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.

On Facebook, Rico Quicho reacted about the reopening of the probe. He thanked Makati Medical Center “for its courage to ferret out the truth.”

“VIP Koko no way out of this mess but to man up. DOJ, your move… the people deserve to know the truth now. Justice delayed is justice denied” he added.