DOJ vows fair, prompt action on complaint vs. Pimentel

Pimentel earlier tested positive for Covid-19 and his visit, hospital officials said, unduly exposed health workers to possible infection. (File photo: Senator Koko Pimentel/Facebook)

MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday assured prompt action on the complaint filed by a lawyer against Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III for allegedly violating quarantine rules amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Speaking to newsmen, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said they had been waiting for the formal complaint to be able to “act on the same”.

“Now that it has been filed, the justice department will immediately schedule the preliminary investigation on such date as may be appropriate, considering the current lockdown in Metro Manila. We assure everyone that the justice department will apply the law fairly and uniformly, regardless of the status of the respondent, with due respect at all times to the rights of the respondent.” Guevarra said.

He added that the investigation is without prejudice to the separate probe that the National Bureau of Investigation has commenced.

Justice officials earlier said they will wait for a complaint from individuals with personal knowledge of the incident.

Lawyer Rico Quicho filed a letter complaint before the DOJ against Pimentel for alleged violation of Republic Act 11332 or the “Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act” which was signed into law last year.

Last month, the Makati Medical Center said Pimentel breached its infection and containment protocols when he went to the hospital with his wife who was to give birth through caesarian section.

Pimentel earlier tested positive for Covid-19 and his visit, hospital officials said, unduly exposed health workers to possible infection.