Rep. Elizaldy Co
FORMER Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co has yet to respond to the Office of the Ombudsman’s directive for him to submit his explanation regarding the investigation into alleged irregularities in anomalous flood control projects.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano revealed that the order to file a counter-affidavit was sent to Co’s last known residence, but the recipient “refused to accept” the document. “So what I think this remark means is that the last place or the last residence of former congressman Co was used in the delivery of the order, and yet the persons who received it on his behalf refused to accept the order,” Clavano said in a press briefing on Monday.
Clavano explained that, typically, such refusal is deemed as the order being received. If the response period has lapsed, the person, in this case, former Rep. Co, will be considered “in default,” meaning they did not accept the order or take the opportunity to present their defense. “I’ll get more [information]. Because it just says here that the recipient refused to accept the order to file a counter-affidavit. I believe this was filed last week. The order was delivered last week and [was] refused,” the official added.
Aside from Co, seven other officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were also ordered to file counter-affidavits in relation to the complaints.
Clavano mentioned that a former regional director of the DPWH in Mimaropa filed a motion on October 24 for an additional 15-day period to file a counter-affidavit. Other DPWH officials, including the former assistant regional director, the current assistant regional director, the chief of the Construction Division, and the OIC chief of the Planning and Design Division, have filed appearances with motions for time to file a counter-affidavit.
A project engineer received the order on October 15, 2025, while a materials engineer filed an entry of appearance with a manifestation requesting 10 days from October 27 to file their counter-affidavit, which they have since submitted.
