Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 14) — A summon for Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III over his breach of quarantine protocols will be out Tuesday, Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento confirmed to CNN Philippines.
Malcontento said the preliminary investigation on the case filed against him by former University of Makati law dean and lawyer Rico Quicho is temporarily set on May 20.
Quicho said Pimentel — who accompanied his wife, who was about to give birth, to Makati Medical Center even if he was supposed to be under home quarantine after getting tested for the new coronavirus — violated laws related to nondisclosure of his health status and guidelines under the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.
Pimentel’s test results later confirmed that he did contract the disease and potentially exposed a number of health workers at the hospital and staff at members-only supermarket S&R.
Quicho said in a Facebook post that he has received an order from the Justice Department to appear within five days after the lifting of the quarantine to file a hard copy of the complaint against Pimentel and swear under oath.
Legal experts said Pimentel may be fined up to ₱50,000 or face a jail term of one to six months for failing to disclose that he is suspected of having COVID-19. For violating the enhanced community quarantine, he can be fined between ₱10,000 and ₱50,000 or jailed for up to a year.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier that his department will immediately schedule the preliminary investigation at a proper time as there is still enhanced community quarantine enforced over Luzon. He vowed to be impartial.
Pimentel has apologized for his actions, saying that his trip to the hospital was “essential.”
CNN Philippines’ Anjo Alimario contributed to this report.
