By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
Malacañang on Friday (Canada time) said efforts to locate fugitive former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co continue despite the archiving of his case, stressing that law enforcement agencies remain duty-bound to arrest him.
In an interview at the Sutton Place Hotel in Vancouver, Canada, Palace Press Officer Claire and Undersecretary Castro said authorities are not neglecting their duty to ensure that ex-Rep. Co faces the allegations against him.
“Hindi naman po pinababayaan ang obligasyon na hanapin si Zaldy Co dahil sabi nga po nila napakahalagang testigo ni Zaldy Co at mahalaga rin po siyang tao para sagutin ang mga akusasyong binabato sa kaniya,” Usec. Castro told reporters.
Usec. Castro clarified that the archiving of the Co’s case does not mean it has been dismissed or permanently closed, noting that it is a standard procedure to place it in an inactive status when a subject is not yet available for trial.
She said the case will be reactivated once Co is arrested and placed under the court’s jurisdiction.
“Tandaan po natin siya po mismo ay may kaso at siya ay may pending warrant of arrest,” she said. “Kapag nahuli na si Zaldy Co, bubuhayin po, ilalabas po muli ang kaso para maging active.”
She stressed that the legal process remains in effect despite the temporary suspension of proceedings.
She also said the government remains committed to ensuring accountability regardless of delays caused by the absence or non-appearance of the accused.
“Kapag sinabi nating archived, ito ay hindi lamang po ilalagay sa mga active cases na i-schedule for hearing. So ilalagay lamang ito sa status na archived,” Usec. Castro said.
“So kahit matagal siyang hindi nakabalik ng Pilipinas at kapag ka po siya ay nahuli, aandar at aandar po ‘yung kaso,” she added.
The Sandiganbayan Seventh Division has ordered the archiving of Co’s case, pending the availability of the accused.
In November 2025, the Office of the Ombudsman filed a graft case against Co over the allegedly anomalous P289-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.
Co served as the chairperson of the House appropriations committee during the finalization of the 2025 national budget.
