The Manila Times
THE Office of the Ombudsman plans to subpoena former lawmaker Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co when he comes under jurisdiction. “Yes. There are still ongoing investigations.... If he is already under our jurisdiction, we will subpoena him to come over to explain matters under investigation, still under investigation with this Office,” Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a press briefing on Tuesday. Co was denied entry from the Czech Republic last week at the German border. In a video message, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. later said Co was in Czech custody. Marcos expressed resolve to bring Co back to the Philippines, saying, “he will answer to the Filipino people.” In Nov. 2025, the Office of the Ombudsman filed a malversation through falsification case against Co and other individuals before the Sandiganbayan in connection with a road dike construction project in Oriental Mindoro. “Remember, he’s still a fugitive from justice technically until he comes back to our jurisdiction... and fugitives from justice have... no right to defend themselves... when there are cases against them unless they submit to the jurisdiction of the court,” Remulla said. On Apr. 7, the prosecution presented its last witness in the malversation through falsification case filed against Co and others. The trial involved nine of the accused: Gerald Pacanan, Gene Ryan Altea, Ruben Santos Jr., Juliet Calvo, Dennis Abagon, Dominic Serrano, Montrexis Tamayo, Lerma Cayco and Felisardo Casuno. Careful with Zaldy Co The Philippine government is being cautious over the case of Co, citing diplomatic relations with the Czech Republic, Malacañang said on Tuesday. In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro noted that pertinent agencies are being careful in issuing statements or releasing details and visuals regarding the “intervention” the Czech authorities did on Co last week. “Because there is another country involved, the government is careful in making any announcements. Let’s just let our government work,” Castro said in Filipino. The Palace official likewise said they are deferring to Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida to address other matters concerning Co, particularly the process of his return to the country. Vida previously said he was ready to fly to the Czech Republic within the week to have a face-to-face meeting with local authorities to “flesh out” the legal requirements for the former Ako Bicol Party-list representative’s deportation. Meanwhile, Castro reacted to an earlier statement of Sen. JV Ejercito that ensuring Co would remain unscathed is a big challenge amid efforts to repatriate him and have him face the graft and malversation charges filed against him over the questionable P289.5-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. Ejercito’s claim, Catro asserted, is unfounded. “We have to determine it first. Where are these supposed death threats coming from? Has anything been presented?” she said. “So, I think we should start there first because there’s no basis. Are there really death threats?” she added. The administration, she stressed, remains committed to ensuring the safety and security not just of Co but of every Filipino. “All Filipinos should be able to return safely to the Philippines,” she said. WITH A REPORT FROM KRISTINA MARALIT
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