Extradition, Interpol arrest eyed for Zaldy Co

MANILA, Philippines — Resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co may face extradition once a case is filed against him in court in connection with the flood control scam, according to Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano.

In an interview with dzMM Teleradyo yesterday, Clavano said that while the Office of the Ombudsman remains hopeful that Co would voluntarily return to the country to answer the allegations against him, the office is prepared to exhaust all legal remedies to compel the former lawmaker’s return.

“At this point in time, in the process, we just hope that he will voluntarily return. Because in the future, there are some ways and remedies available to the government. Just like what we did with former congressman Arnie Teves, who was extradited as a fugitive,” Clavano said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Arnolfo Teves Jr., the expelled representative of Negros Oriental, was deported to the country from Timor-Leste last June for multiple murder charges.

Clavano, however, stressed that the government can only resort to Co’s extradition once a case is filed against him before the anti-graft court Sandiganabyan and the court issues an arrest warrant.

“The first step is for the Sandiganbayan to issue an arrest warrant after it finds probable cause, because, as you know, the court has to make its own determination of probable cause for the issuance of arrest warrant,” Clavano explained.

“If that happens, then we can use the warrant of arrest to request the Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization) to issue a Red Notice. That is the instrument or a remedy available to the government to compel the return of an accused,” Clavano added.

A Red Notice from Interpol enjoins all law enforcement agencies around the world to help locate and arrest an individual facing a criminal case in court.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Co’s lawyer Ruy Rondain said the former lawmaker will not return to the country or contest the complaints against him filed with the ombudsman.

Rondain said Co fears for his life and deems it futile to still file a counter-affidavit as it appears that Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla “has already prejudged” the case.

Remulla had told reporters that Co would likely be among those to be charged in the first batch of flood control cases that the ombudsman aims to file before the Sandiganbayan on or before Nov. 25.

Co is among public officials under preliminary investigation of the ombudsman in connection with the alleged anomalous flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro.

Elected by peers, not appointed

Meanwhile, former speaker Martin Romualdez denied yesterday insinuations that he handpicked Co as chairman of the House appropriations committee in the previous 19th Congress.

“Under House rules, the appropriations chairman and its members are elected by the plenary, not appointed by the Speaker. Their authority comes from the collective decision of the entire House, not from any individual,” Romualdez said in his statement.

“House Members are independent, elected officials. They are neither subordinates nor employees of the Speaker,” it clarified further.

In Co’s case, or in any other House committee for that matter, “the Speaker’s role is purely supervisory, ensuring that legislative budget processes were observed and undertaken, and budget passed on time.”

“While the Speaker is an ex officio member of all committees, Romualdez did not take part in the appropriations committee’s deliberations, the small committee’s work, or the bicameral conference meetings that finalized the 2025 budget,” the statement stressed.

“His signature on the enrolled bill was ceremonial – certifying the bill’s passage by the House, not endorsing any individual insertion,” it added.

Verify death threat

Meanwhile, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco urged the National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine National Police to verify alleged threats to Co’s life.

“The legal system should catch up with him. It is incumbent upon the government to make sure that our legal system catches Zaldy Co. It is a responsibility,” Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco said.

“We should ask our national security agencies – the PNP, NBI, National Security Agency. Is there really a threat to his life? If they say there’s none, then there’s none,” Tiangco stressed, even as he questioned the pronouncements of Co’s counsel, Rondain.

Rondain, who used to be a counsel to former first gentleman Mike Arroyo, told a briefing that his client cannot return home because of the alleged “threats” to his life.

“Now they’re saying there’s a threat to life, but they haven’t shown any threat assessment. And it was a lawyer who said it. I’m just wondering – what is the legal basis for not facing your case because of a threat to life? There’s no legal basis for that,” Tiangco said.

“Now, if he’s afraid, it is the responsibility of the state to ensure his safety. But that cannot be used as a defense,” Tiangco said. “He should cite a law that says if there’s a threat to life, you’re allowed not to return and hide in another country… that’s not how the law works.”

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri has lauded a memorandum of agreement between the ombudsman and the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) to better enforce the ease of doing business.

The deal was signed during the 2025 Ease of Doing Business Convention in Manila.

“This partnership between the ARTA and the ombudsman will finally speed up the disposal of cases against government actors who violate the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Act,” said Zubiri, who authored the law.

The agreement commits the ombudsman to consider ARTA’s own case investigations, instead of going back to zero with another preliminary probe. — Delon Porcalla, Marc Jayson Cayabyab