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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider SC resets to Feb. 11 deliberation on Zaldy Co's petition vs criminal cases filed by Ombudsman

SC resets to Feb. 11 deliberation on Zaldy Co's petition vs criminal cases filed by Ombudsman

Published Feb 4, 2026 02:02 pm
The Supreme Court (SC) reset to Wednesday, Feb. 11, its full court deliberation on the petition filed by former congressman Zaldy Co who pleaded for the nullification of the criminal charges filed against him in the P289.5 million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
It was not immediately known the reason for the resetting of the deliberation.
But normally, the rescheduling of the deliberation on a petition at the SC is requested by the justice in-charge who seeks more time to study the case for his or her recommended action to the full court.
Co’s petition was raffled to the justice in-charge only last Tuesday, Feb. 3.
In his petition, Co alleged before the SC that he was deprived of his right to due process when the Office of the Ombudsman filed graft and non-bailable malversation of public funds against him before the Sandiganbayan last Nov. 14, 2025.
He pleaded the SC for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) that could stop the proceedings before the Sandiganbayan. He also sought the nullification of the charges filed against him.
On Nov. 21, 2025, the Sandiganbayan ordered the arrest of Co and 17 other officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and directors of Sunwest Corporation.
Aside from Co, also ordered arrested were officials of the DPWH in Region IV-B.
Co has been out of the country since July 2025. In his SC petition, it was affirmed the Co signed his petition in Sweden.
After the issuance of the arrest order, the anti-graft court then declared Co a fugitive from justice and thereafter ordered the cancellation of his passport.
On Jan. 8, 2026, the Sandiganbayan denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Co through the Rondain & Mendiola law offices.
In denying the motion, the anti-graft court ruled that since Co is still a fugitive from justice, he is not entitled to any judicial relief.
Earlier, the SC had ruled that fugitives from justice are persons who evade criminal prosecution before the courts and those who flee after conviction to avoid the punishment imposed on them.
The SC stressed that fugitives from justice are barred from seeking judicial relief unless they have been arrested based on a court warrant or they have voluntarily surrendered.
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