Representative Elizaldy Co of Ako Bicol Party List.
THE malversation case involving former congressman Zaldy Co, Sunwest Inc., and other officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways Region IV-B, who have been linked to the anomalous flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, has already been submitted for resolution, according to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla.
“Dito sa Office of the Ombudsman, ang aming tingin, maunang maifa-file na kaso ni Zaldy Co at ang ibang mga opisyal ng DPWH… at bumubuo ng kumpanyang Sunwest,” Remulla told reporters on Tuesday.
“Once resolved, ang ibig sabihin niyan ay pwede na isampa sa korte pagkatapos nito kasi nag-imbestiga na ang Kagawaran ng Katarungan at Office of the Ombudsman,” he added.
Remulla said it will file the case against more than 10 respondents with salary grades 27 and above before the Sandiganbayan this week or next week.
He said the signed contracts are their strongest evidence against Co, even as the former congressman insists he divested from Sunwest Inc.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon had previously tagged Co and Sunwest Inc behind five of the seven substandard flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro. Co went on to resign from his post in the House of Representatives in late September.
“Meron tayong pag-aaral sa beneficial interest. Kahit mag-divest [si Co], sa kanila pa rin. Madali magdahilan na nag-divest pero kung sa kanila pa rin ‘yan, kung sa anak niya nagpunta, sa kapatid niya nagpunta, may prohibited interest pa rin,” said Remulla.
The Office of the Ombudsman said it is conducting a preliminary investigation on 10 flood-control cases, while five Department of Justice (DOJ) cases are also in the same phase.
EXTRADITION CONSIDERED FOR CO; NO PREJUDGEMENT
Remulla said extradition is an option they can pursue to bring former Rep. Zaldy Co back to the Philippines.
“Extradition is a process we can use. Naniniwala ako na kaya natin ‘yan. Kasi ang goodwill naman nating bilang mga Pilipino ay napakalaki sa buong mundo. At pag Pilipino nakiusap, malamang makinig sila,” Remulla said.
He also responded to remarks by Co’s lawyer, Atty. Ruy Rondain, who said the Ombudsman may have “prejudged” the case before Co could answer the allegations.
“I am not the judge. We are not judges here. We are here to investigate graft and corruption. It is something we have to do for our country… prejudging is a wrong term because our job is to prosecute people,” Remulla said.
The Ombudsman earlier said Co has been moving around Spain and Portugal.
