The Department of Justice has asked Interpol to locate former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, who’s being investigated over alleged involvement in flood control scandal. Justice Secretary Frederick Vida confirmed that the request was made through the Office of the Ombudsman after Co reportedly left the Philippines in August.
Vida said only a regional trial court can cancel a passport once a criminal case is filed. For now, no charges have been submitted, which means Co’s passport remains valid. “That’s a protection given to every Filipino,” Vida explained, emphasizing that no one’s travel rights can be revoked without due process.
Investigators are finalizing evidence before filing the first batch of cases related to the flood control probe. Vida stressed that the goal is accuracy, not speed. “We are not rushing this,” he said. “We want to make sure that accountability is based on solid evidence, not speculation.”
The Ombudsman previously tried to serve an order requiring Co to respond, but his household refused to accept it. According to Assistant Ombudsman Jose Dominic Clavano IV, such a refusal counts as received, and the right to submit a counter-affidavit is waived.
Co, who once chaired the House Committee on Appropriations, denied taking money from government projects. He claimed he never received personal gain from deals involving Sunwest, a company linked to him. Despite his denial, records from the Civil Aviation Authority show 11 aircraft worth ₱4.7 billion registered under companies connected to Co.
The DOJ and Ombudsman have yet to confirm Co’s location, but the investigation continues to move forward with Interpol’s assistance.
