Palace leaves Co surrender to Ombudsman

Malacañang clarified last week that any move by fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co to surrender or cooperate with authorities now rests entirely with the Office of the Ombudsman, as the administration reiterated its hands-off stance on the probe into alleged anomalous flood control projects.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the government is willing to listen if Co’s statements could help uncover the truth, but emphasized that all discussions and possible arrangements fall within the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.

“Sa ating pagkakarinig, siya po ay nais makipag-ugnayan sa Ombudsman. At ang sabi din naman ng Ombudsman, even before, na lahat ng proteksyon na kailangan niya ay ibibigay (From what we have heard, he wants to negotiate with the Ombudsman. And the Ombudsman also said, even before, that all the protection he needs will be provided),” Castro said.

“Kung ito po ay makakatulong para malaman natin ang katotohanan, ang gobyerno ay open po para malaman kung ano ang kaniyang sasabihin (If this helps us know the truth, the government is open to hearing what he has to say),” she added.

When asked whether Malacañang has laid down conditions or safeguards should Co decide to give himself up, Castro said the Palace no longer has a role in the matter.

“Nasa kamay na po ‘yan ng Ombudsman (It’s up to the Ombudsman),” she said.

Castro reiterated that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has been consistent in his directive to ensure accountability over questionable flood control projects.

“Ang nais lamang ng Pangulo ay lumabas ang katotohanan at kung sino man ang maaaring responsable sa maanomalyang flood control projects ay silang maimbestigahan at mapanagot (The President only wants the truth to come out and whoever may be responsible for the anomalous flood control projects to be investigated and held accountable),” she said.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier disclosed that Co had sent “surrender feelers” through Catholic priests, who later conveyed the message to the Office of the Ombudsman.

Co is facing graft and malversation charges over an alleged ghost flood control project in Oriental Mindoro worth ₱289.5 million. Nine of his co-accused have already been arrested and are currently in detention.