By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Malacañang has assured the public that authorities will continue pursuing former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, emphasizing that the temporary archiving of his graft case does not diminish the government’s obligation to bring him before the court.
Speaking to reporters during the President’s official visit to Vancouver, Canada, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said law enforcement agencies remain under standing orders to locate and arrest Co, whom she described as a crucial figure in the ongoing legal proceedings.
Castro stressed that the former congressman must personally answer the allegations filed against him, adding that his absence cannot halt the pursuit of justice.
The Palace clarified that placing the case under archived status is merely a procedural move made when an accused remains beyond the court’s jurisdiction or cannot yet be presented for trial.
Castro explained that the court’s action neither dismisses the charges nor terminates the criminal proceedings. Instead, the case is simply removed from the list of active hearings until the accused is apprehended.
She said once Co is arrested and formally brought before the court, the case will immediately return to the active docket and judicial proceedings will resume.
Malacañang maintained that the administration remains committed to enforcing the rule of law and ensuring that criminal cases move forward regardless of delays caused by a fugitive’s absence.
Castro reiterated that an outstanding warrant of arrest remains in effect against Co, underscoring that authorities are expected to execute it whenever the opportunity arises.
Flood Control Graft Charges
The Sandiganbayan Seventh Division recently ordered the archiving of Co’s case pending his arrest.
The charges stem from a ₱289-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro, where the Office of the Ombudsman filed a graft case against the former lawmaker in November 2025, alleging irregularities in the implementation of the project.
Co previously served as chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, where he played a key role during the deliberations and approval of the 2025 national budget.
Despite the case being placed in inactive status, the Palace insisted that the search for Co remains active and that legal proceedings will continue once he is taken into custody.
ia/xf
