Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla
OMBUDSMAN Jesus Crispin Remulla has called off his planned official trip to France, where he intended to seek French authorities’ assistance in locating several Philippine public officials facing criminal cases who are reportedly staying in the country.
The decision was prompted by widespread mass demonstrations across France over the high cost of living and social service concerns, which Remulla described as involving up to 800,000 participants and creating an unstable situation. “It has become a nationwide march. That is not a regular thing — it’s a very special time for them, and I don’t think you want to be caught in the middle of it,” Remulla told reporters, confirming he had cancelled the departure scheduled for November 17.
Remulla also identified three individuals he said are currently hiding in France to avoid facing legal proceedings in the Philippines: former Ako Bicol party‑list Representative Zaldy Co, Senator Loren Legarda, and Batangas First District Representative Leandro Leviste — who is also Legarda’s son. “They are hiding there and refusing to face the complaints against them,” the Ombudsman stated. He added with a note of caution: “For those who are hiding there, good luck to them,” suggesting the ongoing unrest in France may further complicate their situation.
Co faces charges of malversation, graft, and plunder linked to the alleged multi‑billion‑pound flood control kickback scheme. Meanwhile, Legarda and Leviste are the subject of a plunder complaint stemming from accusations that their company failed to deliver on commitments under a congressional franchise to provide solar energy services to communities. Remulla did not specify when a new mission to France might be rescheduled, noting that the security situation there would need to stabilize first before pursuing the matter with French authorities.
metrosundaily
