Atty. Rico Quicho’s Facebook entry immediately went viral after learning that Senator Koko Pimentel reportedly violated quarantine protocols. As of press, the entry has received over 13,000 reactions and 6,000 shares after Quicho urged the netizens to take part in building a case against the senator.
“Koko inaaral na namin at magfifile kami ng complaint. Sa lahat ng gustong sumali, tulungan tayo. Hanep naman kung papalagpasin natin ito. Law students and lawyers unite. Protect natin mga medical practitioners sa mga ganitong tao.”
On March 24, Senator Pimentel breached quarantine protocol by accompanying his pregnant wife at Makati Medical Center (MMC) despite getting tested for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) The senator did a swab test on March 20 and should be observing self-quarantine until March 28, in accordance with Department of Health’s (DOH) instructions for a Person Under investigation (PUI).
MMC denounced the senator for his ‘irresponsible’ and ‘reckless’ actions. Eventually, the medical institution released a statement encouraging the medical community to consume their energy towards battling the fatal disease. “Let us all move forward and I urge the MMC community to focus our energies, skills and passion once again toward conquering the virulent pathogen confronting us – COVID-19. I hope that in our magnanimity, we will all be rewarded with more blessings as we face the real enemy,” it read.
On the same day, retail store S&R verified that the senator was spotted shopping in the BGC branch on March 16.
Despite MMC’s statement, Quicho and 9 other lawyers are determined to pursue legal actions against Sen. Pimentel. In a separate post, Quicho wrote, “We, as lawyers and advocates of the rule of law, cannot in good conscience stand by idly while a public official gets away with such blatant disrespect for the law. This is also our humble service to our fellow kababayans, who are suffering the most in this crisis. Still hoping that the DOH will help us ensure that laws are applied equally without fear or favor.”
As of March 27, it has been confirmed that Senator Pimentel was seen in Makati Medical Center and S&R BGC during his quarantine period.
