DOJ summons Koko Pimentel over ‘quarantine breach’

MANILA - The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday issued a subpoena for Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III over his alleged breach of quarantine protocol for showing up at a hospital despite experiencing coronavirus symptoms, Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento told reporters in a text message.

Pimentel is facing a complaint filed by lawyer Rico Quicho, former dean of the University of Makati School of Law, for allegedly violating Republic Act No. 11332 when he accompanied his then pregnant wife at the Makati Medical Center on March 24, despite undergoing testing for coronavirus disease or COVID-19 on March 20.

Pimentel, who admitted to experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, said he was only informed that he had tested positive for COVID-19 while at the hospital and that he immediately left.


Both the hospital and the Department of Health confirmed there was a breach of quarantine protocols.

Malcontento also disclosed that the preliminary investigation is tentatively scheduled on May 20.

When reached for comment, Pimentel said: "...[M]y lawyers will do what is necessary. I will defer to them."


In a Facebook post earlier Tuesday, Quicho said he received an order from the Department of Justice requiring him to appear within 5 days from the lifting of the enhanced community quarantine with hard copies of his complaint and annexes and to swear to his complaint under oath.

The lockdown is set to end on April 30.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier said the Justice department will immediately schedule a preliminary investigation on the complaint against Pimentel on an appropriate date given the Luzon-wide lockdown.

The DOJ probe is separate from that of the National Bureau of Investigation.

Both Pimentel and Guevarra received strong criticism online – Pimentel for his actions and Guevarra for his statement that the DOJ will temper the rigor of the law with human compassion, when asked for comment regarding Pimentel’s case.

Authorities have arrested thousands of violators of the enhanced community quarantine protocols. Some were warned, others fined but there were also those prosecuted, such as protesters from Sitio San Roque in Quezon City who were arrested for holding a protest action. They have since been released on bail.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Duque says Pimentel violated quarantine protocols

MANILA — Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel violated quarantine protocols when he accompanied his wife to the hospital, the health secretary said Thursday, as he insisted the government does not give out VIP testing for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). 

“Gusto ko rin pong ihayag ang stand ng DOH ukol sa pagpunta ni Senator Pimentel sa Makati Medical Center kahit na siya ay isang PUM (person under monitoring). Kami po ay sumasang-ayon na nagkaroon ng breach sa quarantine protocol at hindi dapat nangyari ito,” said Francisco Duque III during a televised briefing.

(The DOH's stand is, this should not have happened. There was a breach in the quarantine protocol.)

He said the DOH will follow the lead agencies that are assigned to handle violations on the quarantine protocol.

“Ganap tayong makikipagtulungan sa mga aksyon na tatahakin ng mga agencies na ito,” he said.

It could be recalled that on March 11, Senate President Vicente Sotto III ordered a lockdown at the Senate, following a confirmation that one of its resource persons on a March 5 hearing tested positive for COVID-19. Most Senators, including Pimentel, self-quarantined. On March 14, Pimentel had symptoms. By March 18, he had a fever, and took the test two days later. 

Pimentel had not completed the 14-day quarantine set by the DOH when he went to the hospital. 


Duque meanwhile denied rumors that he pulled strings to allow the admission of Pimentel’s wife at the Makati Medical Center, which said on Tuesday that it was already unable to take in more patients due to overcapacity. 

“Ito po ay walang katotohanan. Hindi po ako tumawag sa Makati Medical Center para makiusap na kanilang tanggapin sa kanilang ospital ang asawa ni Senator Pimentel," said Duque.

(There is no truth to those reports. I did not call Makati Medical Center to ask for a room for Senator Pimentel's wife.)

Duque also reiterated that the DOH does not give VIP treatment for COVID-19 testing. 

There are now a total of 707 COVID-19 cases in the country. 

The Philippine government has imposed an enhanced community quarantine on Luzon, suspending public transportation and other services in a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Jewel Lobaton worried about sons with ex-husband Koko Pimentel

MANILA – Jewel Lobaton, the ex-wife of Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, could not stop her tears as she expressed her worry for their two sons, who are both living with their father.

Lobaton broke her silence a day after Pimentel announced that he tested positive for COVID-19.

In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News’ Jeff Fernando, the former beauty queen said all she wants is to be certain that her children are safe.

“In my prayers, umiiyak ako. I trust the Lord that He will guide my path, my walk, today. Pero today, I want to make sure my children are tested. Just that muna. Ang next step would be judicial issue,” she said.

As the kids’ mother, Lobaton said she is anxious that neither Pimentel nor his current wife is able to look after her two sons at this crucial time.

Pimentel is supposed to be in isolation after testing positive for the coronavirus, while his current wife is about to give birth.

“We have minors who are left behind by two parents that were taking care of them during the time that these parents were under exposure or at least 'yung isa positive,” she said.

Loboton said the last time she spoke to her two sons was on March 13. "I had an access to chat with [my younger son] and we said I love you to each other. He knew that I was sick also at that time, not COVID. He said, ‘Please take care, mama,’” she said.

Physically, Lobaton said she hasn’t seen both her children since 2017.

“It is a suffering that only a mother can understand na kailangan ko tumahimik at hindi ko kailangan bulabugin ang set up because mahal ko ang mga anak ko,” she said.

“There are no words to describe the difficulty. Noong alam kong wala silang sakit [nag-aalala na ako], how much more now na exposed sila? [I feel] helplessness, worry, anxiety, sometimes rage and anger. Kaya I asked forgiveness from God,” she added. 

At the end of the day, Lobaton said she just wants to assure her children that she is there for them no matter what happens.

Lobaton and Pimentel were married in 2000 and separated in 2011. 

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Koko's wife breaks down, files for annulment

MANILA -- Jewel Lobaton, the estranged wife of Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel, turned emotional as she filed Wednesday her petition seeking the annulment of her 13-year marriage to the lawmaker.

The former beauty queen formalized the legal step at a Quezon City court, accompanied by her legal counsel, Atty. Salvador Panelo.

"We have cited several instances that show that there have been abuses from Day 1 of the wedding up to the day of the separation, and continuing up to the present," the lawyer said, explaining what motivated the petition.

The case was raffled to Judge Jose Bautista of the QC Family Court.

Lobaton and Pimentel were married in 2000 and separated in 2011. They have two children, aged 8 and 2.

Further steps

Speaking exclusively with ABS-CBN News' Mario Dumaual shortly before filing the petition on Wednesday, Lobaton pointed to her kids in explaining her initial hesitation to take the legal step.

"[I feel] sad and helpless, because I'm thinking of the children. Atsaka natatakot po ako," said Lobaton, who appeared to be holding tears.

"It took me sometime because I really want to give it a try, a chance. I don't want to harm...," she added, before breaking down and requesting to end the interview.

Lobaton's legal counsel, Atty. Salvador Panelo, brought up his client's "emotional outburst" in requesting to excuse her from the interview.

Panelo nonetheless detailed further steps they are planning to take in relation to Lobaton's alleged abusive relationship with Pimentel, saying they are set to file a petition for a temporary protection order against the senator.

'No stone unturned'

According to Lobaton, who resumed with the interview after appearing to compose herself, she had sought the support of her friends in taking the matter to court.

"Bago ako pumunta dito last weekend, pumunta muna ako sa mga kaibigan kong pari, madre, atsaka mga kaibigan namin sa community. Actually sinabi sa akin hanggang kanina, 'You did your best, no stone was left unturned. God be with you'," she said.

She added she had tried numerous times to speak with Pimentel, "pero hindi niya ako pinagbigyan."

"I am really entrusting everything to God. Siya na ang bahala. Basta deep in my heart, alam ko ginawa ko na po lahat ng kaya kong gawin for the sake of our children," she said.

Pimentel opted to put off addressing the issue when sought for his statement on Wednesday.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Koko Pimentel's wife seeks annulment

BACOLOD, Philippines -- Former Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Jewel Mae Lobaton announced on Tuesday that she had just filed for a church annulment of her marriage with Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

In a press conference here for her Batang Pinoy Movement, Lobaton said she and Pimentel had decided that she will be the first to file the church annulment.

Lobaton did not mention the reason behind their separation but said that she is still willing to help Pimentel in his senatorial campaign.

The former beauty queen again denied that she is the woman shown kissing a man in a photo sent to media. The man in the photograph is said to be Bacolod City Congressman Anthony Golez.

According to Lobaton, it is easy to edit pictures, hinting that the photo in question was likely to be the work of Golez’ political opponents.

Golez had earlier denied that he is the man in the photo as he threatened to file charges against the person behind it.

Lobaton and Golez are rumored to be in a relationship but both have denied this and claimed that they are just good friends. – Report from Mitch Lipa, ABS-CBN News

source: abs-cbnnews.com