MANILA – The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has clarified that no aircraft are registered under the name of House Speaker and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez, even as authorities intensify efforts to monitor several high-value air assets linked to former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co.
“Sa katotohanan po, sa record na chineck namin, wala… Walang lumalabas na pag-aari ni Speaker,” CAAP Director General Raul del Rosario said in a press briefing.
Both Romualdez and Co have been dragged into the alleged multibillion-peso flood control project scandal, which is now the subject of investigations by multiple agencies. Both lawmakers have denied any involvement.
Del Rosario revealed that CAAP is working with civil aviation authorities in Malaysia and Singapore to track three aircraft linked to Co that reportedly flew out of the country in recent months.
“Nakikipag-ugnayan kami sa mga civil aviation authorities ng mga bansa na pinuntahan nila at nagpapatulong kami na i-monitor dahil sa ngayon, ‘yun pa naman ang kaya nating gawin,” he said.
According to CAAP records, two AgustaWestland helicopters connected to Co departed for Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia on August 20 and September 11, while a Gulfstream aircraft has been parked in Singapore since August 16. Ten other aircraft believed to be tied to Co remain in the Philippines and are under surveillance.
“‘Yung iba naman na naiwan dito ay ganon din, mino-monitor natin dahil kailangan naman nilang mag-file ng mga flight plans bago makalipad. Pero nandito pa sila sa bansa natin,” Del Rosario said.
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, meanwhile, assured that these aircraft cannot be disposed of while still registered in the Philippines.
“Ang importante, hindi ‘yan mabebenta. Kahit nasa ibang bansa pa ‘yan, ‘pagka na-file na ‘yung mga kaso para bawiin itong mga assets na ‘to sa tamang panahon, mukhang pagdating na naman ‘yan, eh mababawi pa rin natin at makukuha pa rin natin,” Dizon said.
Del Rosario explained that under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rules, aircraft cannot be re-registered abroad unless they are first deregistered in their home country.
“Kaya aalamin din ‘yan ng Civil Aviation Authority ng Malaysia o Singapore, for example, kung na-deregister na bago i-allow nila na ma-register sa mga bansang ‘yan. Kaya parang hindi pwedeng ibenta,” he said.
Last month, Dizon disclosed that CAAP had thwarted attempts by companies linked to Co to deregister three helicopters that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) had asked the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to freeze.
The DPWH earlier sought the freezing of around P4.3 billion worth of aircraft tied to Co and his brother Christopher, including a $36-million Gulfstream 350 and two $16-million AgustaWestland helicopters registered under Misibis Aviation, owned by Co’s son, Michael Ellis Co.
Other assets listed under Misibis Aviation include two Bell 4017 choppers worth $3 million each and a Bell 206B3 valued at $650,000./PN
