Lawyer Rico Quicho announced through a Facebook post that he has filed a complaint against Senator Aquilino Pimentel III for the “direct violation” of the law. Quicho pertains to Pimentel’s alleged breach of quarantine and violation of health protocols.
(Makati Medical Center Responds to Senator Koko Pimentel’s Apology: “Noted”)
Pimentel earlier drew the ire of the public after bringing his pregnant wife to Makati Medical Center despite his positive status as a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patient. The senator apologized to MMC but claimed that he “never intended to breach any protocol.”
“At 11:47 AM today (April 6, 2020), I filed with the Department of Justice (‘DOJ’) through electronic mail, a Letter-Complaint against Senator Koko Pimentel detailing the clear facts and circumstances that establish his direct violation of RA No. 11332 (Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act) and its implementing rules and other DOH regulations,” Quicho said in his post.
According to Inquirer, the DOJ has already replied and received Quicho’s letter-complaint.
Quicho made mention of an online petition that garnered 200,000 signatures calling for legal action against the senator in his complaint.
“As a lawyer and advocate of the rule of law, I cannot in good conscience allow the reckless actions of Senator Koko Pimentel to be brushed aside so easily. He blatantly violated laws, which put the lives and health of frontliners and even ordinary citizens at grave risk,” said Quicho.
“He has categorically admitted his breach without remorse. And yet because of his position, he is still not being made accountable.”
Pimentel has yet to read or respond to the complaint. The DOJ has said they will issue a subpoena to Pimentel “likely next week” regarding the matter at hand.
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