MANILA — The Sandiganbayan has upheld its declaration labeling former Ako Bicol party-list congressman Zaldy Co as a “fugitive from justice,” rejecting his bid to overturn the ruling and effectively barring him from participating in court proceedings unless he surrenders to authorities.
The anti-graft court’s Sixth Division denied Co’s motion for reconsideration in a 10-page resolution dated March 5, ruling that the plea lacked merit and was filed beyond the prescribed period.
Court records showed that Co’s legal team submitted the motion on February 18, which the court said was already outside the five-day reglementary period for filing such appeals.
According to the resolution written by Sixth Division Chairperson Sarah Jane Fernandez, Co’s camp received the earlier ruling declaring him a fugitive on February 3, giving him only until February 9 to submit a motion for reconsideration.
“Thus, he only had until February 9, 2026 – February 8 being a Sunday – within which to file his Motion for Reconsideration,” the resolution penned by 6th Division Chairperson Sarah Jane Fernandez read.
Co’s lawyers argued that the former lawmaker did not leave the Philippines to evade prosecution or avoid punishment after being charged in court.
However, the Sandiganbayan said the issue had already been addressed in its previous ruling and did not require further discussion.
“Similarly, although accused Co was shown to have left the Philippines on August 6, 2025, or around three months before the filing of the Information in the present case, his continued absence, and his failure, if not refusal, to return, surrender, and disclose his whereabouts despite knowledge of the present case against him clearly indicates his desire and intent to evade law enforcement and the judicial processes,” the resolution read.
“There is ground to consider accused Co a fugitive from justice,” it added.
Because of this designation, the court reiterated that Co cannot participate in the ongoing proceedings nor request relief from the court unless he voluntarily surrenders.
The Sixth Division also said he is not entitled to receive court notices while he remains at large.
Co is currently facing a warrant of arrest in connection with charges of graft and malversation linked to an allegedly anomalous road dike project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
Several officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Mimaropa who were also implicated in the case have already pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Hearings for the malversation case began earlier this week and are scheduled to continue on March 17 and 19, while the related graft case is being handled by the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division./PN
