Philippines: Hunt on for fugitive congressman Zaldy Co, 17 others

Manila: The hunt has officially started for former congressman Zaldy Co and 17 others in connection with "ghost" or substandard flood control projects.

Arrest warrants have been issued by the Sandiganbayan (an anti-graft court) against Co, as well as officials of the DPWH and directors of contracting firm Sunwest Corp.

Co was charged with violating Section 3(h) of RA 3019 for receiving unwarranted financial and pecuniary benefits at the anti-graft court’s 7th Division.

The Office of the Ombudsman welcomed the issuance of warrants of arrest and hold departure orders against Co and 17 others.

“To the law enforcement agencies whose responsibility it is to effect the arrests — execute the warrants without delay,” the Ombudsman urged.

The orders pertain to flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro, in the first such move amidst the government anti-corruption drive, according to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

What the case is all about

The case centres on accusations of graft and malversation over a ₱289.5-million (about $5 million) flood control project along the Mag-Asawang Tubig River in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. Investigators say the project was either substandard or possibly non-existent.

Authorities found that materials used for the river dike project were well below required specifications, causing an estimated ₱63 million in losses to the government.

The project was funded under the 2024 national budget allocated to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Co, who resigned amid the controversy and has reportedly fled abroad, is said to have long-standing ties with Sunwest Corp., a construction firm owned by his immediate family members.

Sunwest was the contractor for the project under scrutiny.

The Ombudsman has filed criminal charges citing violations of Sections 3(e) and 3(h) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Because the alleged malversation exceeds ₱8.8 million, prosecutors have recommended no bail for all accused.

What Co's lawyer said

Police in Taguig served an arrest warrant against Co on Saturday. His lawyer told reporters: “For now, we trust that regular procedures were followed on the arrest warrants. We will therefore take our remedies in due course. On the new charges, I reserve comment until after I've verified the facts.”

The Sandiganbayan has also issued hold departure orders to prevent the accused from leaving the country.

Public anger

The scandal has intensified public anger given the Philippines’ vulnerability to typhoons and flooding and the apparent misuse of funds meant for life-saving infrastructure.

Reports have linked the case to broader corruption schemes involving billions of pesos in DPWH-managed projects.

The government says the arrests reflect its commitment to accountability and restoring public trust.

Names of individuals issued warrants of arrest

The Sandiganbayan issued warrants of arrest against former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and 17 others linked to the controversial flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro.

Among those named are senior officials from DPWH Region IV-B and executives of Sunwest Corporation, the company implicated in the scandal.

The individuals from DPWH facing arrest include:

For violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division of the anti-graft court issued warrants for Co, and the following Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Mimaropa Regional Office officials:

• Gerald Pacanan

• Gene Ryan Altea

• Ruben Santos Jr.

• Dominic Serrano

• Juliet Calvo

• Dennis Aragon

• Montrexis Tamayo

• Lerma Cayco

• Felisardo Casuno

• Timojen Sacar

Sunwest directors

Arrest warrants are also out against the following Sunwest Inc. directors:

• Aderma Alcazar

• Cesar Buenaventura

• Consuelo Aldon

• Engr. Noel Yap

• Anthony Ngo.

No bail

Due to the scale of irregularities, prosecutors have recommended no bail for all those charged.

Task forces have already begun operations to execute the warrants, with law enforcement searching residences and known locations of the accused.

Responding to critics

Amid criticism that the Ombudsman’s probe would result only in rhetoric, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson remarked Saturday, Nov. 22, that the arrests demonstrate otherwise.

Lacson also addressed critics who have expressed impatience over government's perceived inaction in relation to the flood control scam.

"It’s as if they’re riling up our countrymen, saying ‘nothing will happen, they’ll just cover it up.’ They kept insisting nothing would come out of this because the authorities supposedly didn’t want to make any arrests. They can eat their words now because what's needed to happen has finally begun, at least the first step,” he told local media in Filipino.

The senator stated that the move is only the start of the judicial process which would take time, but shows the system works.