MANILA — In its strongest move yet amid the widening flood-control corruption scandal, the Office of the Ombudsman is preparing to restrict the international movements of former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co — including seeking the cancellation of his passport and the issuance of an Interpol red notice — once the Sandiganbayan orders his arrest.
Co, several Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, and executives of a construction firm are now facing graft and malversation charges over an allegedly “grossly” substandard road dike project in Oriental Mindoro. The cases were raffled off at the anti-graft court on Wednesday morning, marking one of the first major complaints from the alleged “ghost” flood-control projects to reach judicial proceedings.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said an arrest warrant would trigger a series of legal actions to ensure Co cannot evade prosecution.
“On the basis of that warrant, marami po tayong remedies. Pwede po tayong humingi sa korte na ikansela po ang passport ni Zaldy Co… ‘Pag na-cancel na po ‘yan, mas ma-limit na po ang kanyang galaw. Hindi na po siya makakabiyahe from one country to another,” Clavano told DZMM.
“On top of that pwede rin po tayong humingi ng Interpol red notice, kung saan pwede nang actively hanapin si Ginoong Zaldy Co kung saan man siya. And yung obligasyon po ng isang bansa kung may Interpol red notice ay arestuhin po ang isang tao at i-deport or i-extradite,” he added.
The charges form part of a broader national probe into supposed irregular, nonexistent, or substandard infrastructure projects that critics say siphoned off billions in public funds.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier thrust the controversy into the national spotlight after severe flooding renewed public outrage over allegedly defective flood-control works.
Clavano said more officials and contractors may soon follow Co to the courtroom, noting that “this is the first of many cases that will be filed in court.”/PN
