MANILA – The Office of the Ombudsman is considering seeking the extradition of former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co if he continues to evade investigation into the P13.8-billion flood control fund scandal.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said Co’s claim that he fears for his life “has become a template” for accused officials attempting to dodge accountability.
“We just hope na bumalik siya voluntarily dahil in the future, there are some ways and remedy available to the government kagaya nung ginawa natin kay former congressman Arnie Teves na ipabalik ang isang tao na pugante,” Clavano told DZMM.
The statement followed the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s (ICI) recommendation to file graft, malversation, and falsification charges against Co and several Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials for their alleged role in anomalous infrastructure projects, including a road dike in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
Co resigned from Congress in September and has not returned to the country since. He allegedly funneled P13.8 billion worth of infrastructure allocations into the 2025 national budget. His lawyer earlier claimed that Co fears being targeted by vigilantes should he return home.
Clavano said the Ombudsman can proceed with resolving the case even if Co refuses to respond. “Pag nag-lapse ‘yung period kung saan pwede siyang mag-file ng counter-affidavit, nawe-waive ‘yung kanyang karapatang maghain ng depensa niya,” he explained.
He added: “We will have to resolve the case here on the Ombudsman on the basis lang dun sa mga alegasyon at mga supporting documents. We cannot wait dahil may mga period ‘yan for which we allow ‘yung mga respondents to file counter-affidavit kasama na d’yan ‘yung mga co-respondents niya.”
If probable cause is established, Clavano said the Sandiganbayan will issue an arrest warrant, which could trigger international action.
“If that happens, pwede na nating gamitin ‘yung warrant of arrest para mag-request sa Interpol ng isang red notice,” he said.
He stressed, however, that the court must first obtain jurisdiction before any trial begins.
“The court must have jurisdiction over the person bago mag-proceed ‘yung trial. ‘Yung warrant of arrest ang gagamitin nating instrumento para masailalim si Co sa jurisdiction ng Sandiganbayan,” he added.
Co joins a roster of high-profile personalities — among them senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, former Commission on Audit commissioner Mario Lipana, and ex-DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo—implicated in the multibillion-peso flood control fund controversy./PN
