SOJ Remulla urges Zaldy Co to return to PH to face charges
Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla on Monday, Sept. 29, urged resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co to return to the Philippines and face the charges against him.
“He has to face the music,” Remulla said during a press briefing.
Remulla issued the statement after the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) filed before the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) on Monday, Sept. 29, graft and malversation of public funds charges against Co and several others in connection with the P289.5 million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
“Harapin ang mga charges (He should face the charges). If you say you are innocent then due process is always here,” assured Remulla who noted that Co is believed to be in Spain.
Remulla said he has received from the ICI the report that was submitted before the OMB on Monday.
“We already transmitted it to the AMLC (Anti-Money Laundering Council) with the request that cases be filed immediately,” said the DOJ chief who noted that the freeze of assets will be sought against those in the ICI report.
Last week, the DOJ asked the International Criminal Police (Interpol) to issue a “blue notice” that could monitor the location and activities of Co abroad.
“This is based on the investigation of the Senate’s Blue Ribbon Committee as well as the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) which recommended the prosecution of Co,” Remulla said.