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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Zaldy Co likely included in first round of raps to be filed in Sandiganbayan — Remulla

Zaldy Co likely included in first round of raps to be filed in Sandiganbayan — Remulla

Published Oct 24, 2025 12:34 pm  |  Updated Oct 24, 2025 02:36 pm

At A Glance

  • Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Friday, Oct. 24, that resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, along with other congressmen, may be included in the first batch of flood control cases that are targeted to be filed before the Sandiganbayan next month.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Friday, Oct. 24, that resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co may be included in the first batch of flood control cases that are targeted to be filed before the Sandiganbayan next month.
Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (PPAB)
Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (PPAB)
"Malamang kasama kasi naalala mayroong Mindoro case na kasama sa mga finile (Most likely included, because I remember there’s a Mindoro case that was among those filed)," Remulla said in a chance interview in the Senate, after the deliberations of the Ombudsman's proposed 2026 budget that lasted only an hour.
If a case is to be filed against Co, he said that part of the process is the cancellation of his passport.
"Oo, siyempre, kasama yan. At ang mas mahalaga dyan, yung mga freeze order talaga ma-implement laban sa mga tao (Yes, of course, that’s included. And what’s more important is that the freeze orders are actually implemented against those individuals)," he added.
During the budget hearing, Remulla said that the first batch of flood control cases may be filed within 30 days before the Sandiganbayan.
"Posible po yan (That's possible)," he said.
"Sana no, kasi nga may PI (preliminary investigation yan) yan at 10 days lang naman ang binibigay sa kabnila na sumagot. Pagka nakasagot na yan, jojoin na namin yung issues (Hopefully yes, because that’s already under preliminary investigation (PI), and they’re only given 10 days to respond. Once they’ve submitted their answers, we’ll consolidate the issues)," when asked about the filing of cases within a month.
Remulla didn't divulge any specific names but stated that there are a lot of names there who are set to be charged, including congressmen.
For senators, he said he's not sure if they're included. Remulla also refused to give an estimate on how many cases will be filed.
"Hindi ko rin mabibigyan ng estimate. Mahirap eh. Kasi may mga nakalatag na sa amin. May mga 8 to 10 na nakalatag sa amin. Siyempre, in-evaluate lahat yan (I also can’t give an estimate. It’s difficult, because we already have some lined up, around 8 to 10 cases. Of course, all of those are being evaluated)," he said.
"Basta hindi na kagaya ng dati na snail phased. Talaga ito, talagang kailangan bilisan namin paspasan na. Kasi ganoon naman dapat eh. Ang corruption, matagal na nangyayari, the deadline is yesterday, sinasabi ko nga (It’s no longer like before when things moved at a snail’s pace. This time, we really need to move fast, work quickly. That’s how it should be. Corruption has been happening for so long; as I always say, the deadline was yesterday)," he said.
Meanwhile, Remulla said that on Monday, five cases involving ghost flood control projects are expected to be filed before the regional trial court (RTC) by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Related Tags

Ombudsman Zaldy Co flood control flood control probe
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