DoJ, dismissed complaint vs Sen. Pimentel for violating quarantine protocols

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The Department of Justice (DoJ) dismissed the criminal complaint against Senator Aquilino Pimentel III for allegedly violating quarantine protocols after going to a hospital and later tested positive for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Based on the decision of DoJ prosecutors, after a lengthy preliminary investigation, the complaint was dismissed for lack of probable cause.

That is, they will not file a lawsuit in court.

According to the Office of the Prosecutor General, Pimentel is not a public health authority and is not obligated to the mandatory reporting provision of RA 11332.

But suppose he only needs to report in relation to his medical condition as a private individual, prosecutors said that he had nothing to report during the hours he went to Makati Medical Center and S&R Bonifacio Global City on March 24. and March 16.

The DoJ explained that it only found out that it was positive for the deadly disease on March 24 that it was in the hospital premises.

Earlier, lawyer Atty. Rico Quicho filed a complaint against Pimentel with the DoJ for allegedly violating Republic Act No. 11332 and other regulations of the Department of Health (DoH).

The decision also states that Quicho is not the “proper party” to file a complaint because his evidence is based only on news reports and is considered “hearsay” only.