MANILA – Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Jonvic Remulla said former Ako Bicol party-list congressman Zaldy Co has attempted to initiate communication through priests, as the former lawmaker faces an arrest warrant over alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
Remulla made the statement following reports that the supposed outreach was described as an effort to seek dialogue.
“Syempre we take them seriously. ‘Yung gusto makipag-dialogue kakausapin namin ‘yan. Pero kung bribe, eh wag na,” Remulla said in an ambush interview.
According to the Interior secretary, the intermediaries have not explained the purpose behind Co’s alleged request for a meeting.
“Dialogue pa lang ‘yung hinahanap niya,” Remulla said.
However, Remulla stressed that the information remains unverified and was relayed informally.
“Of course, that’s not verified. Parang ang sabi pa lang, sinabi ng kaibigan na kaibigan na pinaparating,” he said.
Co left the country in 2025 reportedly for medical reasons and has yet to return amid an ongoing investigation into alleged anomalous flood control projects.
Earlier, the Office of the Ombudsman filed charges of corruption and malversation of public funds against Co and several others before the Sandiganbayan. The cases stem from a P289-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro that authorities flagged as anomalous.
Co has denied the accusations.
The Sandiganbayan has since declared Co a “fugitive from justice” and ordered the cancellation of his passport in connection with the graft and malversation cases./PN
