MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) will start next month its investigation into the criminal complaint against Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III for exposing a Makati hospital’s staff to possible infection to the new coronavirus when he violated his home quarantine protocol.
Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento on Tuesday said the initial hearing of the preliminary investigation has been tentatively set on May 20.
He said Pimentel was served the order to reply to the complaint filed by lawyer Rico Quicho during the hearing.
Quicho on Tuesday said he just received an order from the DOJ to personally submit a hard copy of the complaint, which he sent by email on April 6, within five days from the original lifting of the enhanced community quarantine.
He said he was also notified of the tentative date of the preliminary investigation.
Assistant State Prosecutor Wendell Bendoval will evaluate whether to charge Pimentel in court or dismiss the complaint.
Pimentel took his pregnant wife to Makati Medical Center on March 25 even though he was supposed to be in self-quarantine following a COVID-19 test taken days earlier after showing symptoms linked to the virus.