Sandiganbayan declares ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co a fugitive

The Sandiganbayan has formally declared former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co a fugitive from justice and ordered the immediate cancellation of his Philippine passport.

In an eight-page resolution dated December 10, the anti-graft court cited Co’s refusal to submit to its authority as evidence of his intent to remain outside the court’s jurisdiction. “It must be emphasized that the accused left the country at the time investigations into alleged corruption in flood control projects were active and when formal charges against him were imminent. His strategically timed flight provides sufficient ground to infer a deliberate attempt to flee from justice,” the court said.

In a separate resolution, the Sandiganbayan also declared three members of Sunwest Inc.’s board of directors — Aderma Alcazar, Cesar Buenaventura, and Noel Co — as fugitives from justice and ordered the cancellation of their passports.