PDP-Laban exec: Give Pimentel time to rest, recover

MANILA, Philippines — While recognizing that the move of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to “invite” Senator Koko Pimentel over alleged violation of quarantine protocols was “reasonable and logical,” PDP Laban Executive Director Ron Munsayac on Wednesday said the senator should be given time to rest first.

Munsayac made the call after the NBI said it would summon Pimentel after breaching his quarantine by visiting the Makati Medical Center to accompany his pregnant wife. Later that night, Pimentel was confirmed to have contracted COVID-19.

“It’s reasonable and logical for the NBI to invite [Pimentel] for questioning [regarding] possible violations of quarantine protocols. But please let us give the man a few weeks to rest, recover, and beat the [COVID-19] virus,” Munsayac said in a tweet.

It's reasonable and logical for the NBI to invite @SenKokoPimentel for questioning re possible violations of quarantine protocols. But please let us give the man a few weeks to rest, recover, and beat the #COVIDー19 virus.

— Ron Munsayac (@RonMunsayac) April 1, 2020

In an earlier tweet, Munsayac said that “the man,” presumably Pimentel, should be given time to recover from his illness first amid criticisms on social media.

“Can’t we give the man a break? Pagalingin muna natin sa sakit niya bago niyo tirahin ng tirahin sa social media. Masyado naman kayo mayayabang at perpekto,” he added.

Can't we give the man a break? Pa galingin muna natin sa sakit niya bago niyo tirahin ng tirahin sa social media. Masyado naman kayo mayayabang at perpekto.

— Ron Munsayac (@RonMunsayac) April 1, 2020

The NBI summoned Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto over possible violation of Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.

Section 6 (a) of the said law punishes local government officials (LGUs) for “disobeying national government policies or directives in imposing quarantines.”

Sotto earlier allowed tricycle to operate despite the suspension of public transport to ease travel woes of those exempt from the lockdown, such as medical frontliners.

But this declaration from the NBI was seemingly not received well by those on social media as netizens pointed out that Pimentel also violated quarantine protocols but was not summoned by the bureau.

The NBI later announced that it would also probe Pimentel.