Former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co’s lawyer claimed that the Office of the Ombudsman may have already ‘prejudged’ the case against his client in connection with alleged irregularities in infrastructure projects.
In explaining his claim, lawyer Ruy Rondain pointed out that the Ombudsman’s plan to file cases by November 25 suggests that the anti-graft body may have already made up its mind even before Co could respond to the allegations.
‘Assuming Mr. Co is served today, that doesn’t give him enough time to answer and for the Ombudsman to review and write a resolution. My thinking is, the Ombudsman has already prejudged this case,’ Rondain said at a press conference on Wednesday.
He added that this impression was strengthened by the earlier remark of Department of Public Works and Highways chief Vince Dizon, who said that ’60 people will be in jail by Christmas.’
‘Under these circumstances, there’s really no tactical benefit to filing a counter-affidavit,’ Rondain said, adding: ‘So at this time, the way things are going, no, he does not intend to file one. It’s just a distraction.’
The Office of the Ombudsman earlier ordered Co to submit a counter-affidavit to explain his side regarding alleged irregularities in the anomalous flood control projects. The document was reportedly sent to the former lawmaker’s last known address, but the recipient ‘refused to accept’ it.
Aside from Co, seven other officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were also directed to file their counter-affidavits in relation to the complaints over the same projects.
Although he did not identify them, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said a former DPWH Mimaropa regional director filed a motion on October 24 seeking an additional 15 days to file a counter-affidavit.