MANILA, Philippines — The Makati Medical Center (MMC) on Thursday said it took note of Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III’s apology after he breached quarantine protocol as he tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The hospital added that it was also pleased that the Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III agreed with them that Pimentel violated such protocols.
“We hereby take note of the apology of Senator Pimentel for such breach and we are pleased that the Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has concurred that, indeed, breach was committed,” the statement released by the hospital’s medical director, Dr. Saturnino Javier, read.
Pimentel drew the ire of the public as he received his COVID-19 results while he accompanied his wife, who was scheduled to give birth to their daughter, at the MMC.
The MMC later slammed Pimentel for his actions, to which he later apologized.
Javier also urged the public to move forward and to focus their “energies, skills and passion once again forward” in conquering the disease.
As of Thursday, there have been a total of 707 cases of COVID-19 in the country, including 45 deaths and 28 recoveries.