DOJ dismisses quarantine violation complaint vs Koko Pimentel

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has dismissed for lack of probable cause the complaint against Senator Aquilino Pimentel for violating Republic Act No. 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events Act of 2018.

Private lawyer and former law dean Rico Quico, in his complaint filed last year, said Pimentel violated RA11332 and other regulations of the Department of Health when he escorted his wife to the Makati Medical Center (MMC) despite being on his 10th day of quarantine for having symptoms of COVID-19.

READ: Complaint filed vs Koko Pimentel over quarantine breach

“The Office of the Prosecutor General, DOJ, resolved to dismiss the complaint against Senator Koko Pimentel for violation of Section 9(e) of R.A. No. 11332 or the ‘Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of the Public Health Concern’ for lack of probable cause,” the Office of the Prosecutor General through Atty. Honey Delgado said in a statement.

The controversy stemmed when Pimentel escorted his pregnant wife to the Makati Medical Center last year despite knowing he has taken a Covid-19 test and was under quarantine.

While at the hospital, the senator got the information that he tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus the causes the potentially fatal respiratory ailment Covid-19. He said he immediately left the hospital after learning of the test result. Pimentel later apologized for his actions.

KGA