MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has officially declared former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co a fugitive from justice and ordered the cancellation of his Philippine passport as part of ongoing efforts to compel him to face criminal charges here.
In an eight-page resolution dated December 10, the anti-graft court found sufficient grounds to deem Co a fugitive due to his documented refusal to cooperate with legal processes related to high-profile corruption allegations.
The Sandiganbayan noted that Co left the Philippines at a time when investigations into alleged anomalies in flood control projects — including graft and malversation charges tied to a ₱289-million substandard road dike project in Oriental Mindoro — were progressing and formal charges were imminent.
According to the court, prosecutors demonstrated a pattern of non-compliance and evasion by Co, citing his resignation from Congress, failure to return to the country, non-appearance before the Independent Congressional Inquiry (ICI), and refusal to file a counter-affidavit with the Office of the Ombudsman.
The court said these actions reflect a deliberate intent to avoid prosecution, justifying its decision to declare him a fugitive and direct authorities to act accordingly.
Under the resolution, the Sandiganbayan instructed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to immediately cancel Co’s Philippine passport to prevent further evasion of law enforcement.
In the same resolution, the court also declared three other individuals associated with the private contractor involved in the project — Aderma Angelie Alcazar, Cesar Buenaventura, and Noel Cao of Sunwest Inc. — as fugitives from justice and ordered their passports cancelled.
Government Action to Locate Co
Following the resolution, authorities intensified efforts to locate Co. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has reportedly sought an INTERPOL Red Notice request to help law enforcement internationally track down the former lawmaker and support his arrest and extradition.
Co has not returned to the Philippines since leaving the country amid the controversy, and warrants of arrest remain outstanding.
The Sandiganbayan’s declaration and passport cancellation mark a significant development in the government’s pursuit of accountability in one of the most closely watched corruption cases of the year.
