DOJ submits resolution on Koko’s case

The hospital said Pimentel’s visit “unduly exposed healthcare workers to possible infection” after it was found out that he tested positive for Covid-19 on March 25. (File photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has submitted for resolution the case against Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III arising from an alleged violation of quarantine rules.

“It’s submitted for resolution as of yesterday,” Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon told reporters Thursday.

In an order dated September 9, Assistant State Prosecutor Wendell Bendoval asked Pimentel and the complainant in the case, lawyer Rico Paolo R. Quicho to submit a comment on the report of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on the incident by September 21.

The NBI memorandum report dated August 24 was received by prosecutors on September 4 and included a copy of the incident report by Dr. Saturnino Javier of the Makati Medical Center (MMC).

Bendoval, in reopening the case, said it was needed in line with the DOJ’s “policy of admitting all evidence that could assist in the judicious resolution of complaints.”

Last July, the case against Pimentel was already up for resolution by prosecutors after the parties completed the submission of their respective pleadings.

In his counter-affidavit, Pimentel said the complaint against him “is fatally defective” and is based principally on news reports.

“Considering (complainant) Atty. (Rico) Quicho’s lack of personal knowledge, I am being charged based on mere hearsay,” the lawmaker added, referring to the copies of online news reports attached by Quicho in his complaint.

The DOJ is evaluating the complaint filed by Quicho against Pimentel for alleged violation of Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act and three Department of Health issuances — Memorandum Circular No. 2020-0090, Advisory No. 2 and DOH Circular No. 2020-0080, concerning quarantine measures implemented due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

The MMC earlier said Pimentel breached its infection and containment protocols when he went to the hospital with his wife who was about to give birth through caesarean section.

The hospital said Pimentel’s visit “unduly exposed healthcare workers to possible infection” after it was found out that he tested positive for Covid-19 on March 25.