Former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy ‘Zaldy’ Co has yet to respond to the Office of the Ombudsman’s directive for him to submit his explanation over its investigation into alleged irregularities in the anomalous flood control projects.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the order to file a counter-affidavit was sent to Co’s last known residence, but the recipient ‘refused to accept’ the document.
‘So what I think this remark means is that the last place or the last residence of former congressman Co was used in the delivery of the order, and yet the persons who received it on his behalf refused to accept the order,’ Clavano said in a press briefing on Monday.
‘So that remark I will have to clarify. But usually, what happens there is it’s deemed received already. And if the periods have already lapsed, then we will consider the person. In this case, or former congressman Co, as in default,’ he added.
Clavano explained that persons ‘in default’ means that they did not accept the order to file a counter-affidavit or they did not take the opportunity to present their defenses.
‘I’ll get more [information]. Because it just says here that the recipient refused to accept the order to file a counter-affidavit. I believe this was filed last week. The order was delivered last week and [was] refused,’ the official said.
Aside from Co, seven other officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) were likewise ordered to file a counter-affidavit in relation to the complaints on the anomalous flood control projects.
Although he did not reveal their names, Clavano stated that a former regional director of the DPWH in Mimaropa had filed a motion on October 24 for an additional 15-day period to file a counter-affidavit.
‘Former assistant regional director, the current assistant regional director, the chief of the Construction Division, and the OIC (officer-in-charge) chief of the Planning and Design Division [of the DWPH) filed an appearance with motion for time to file a counter-affidavit dated October 24, requesting 10 days from October 25 through their counsel,’ he said.
‘A project engineer received the order to file a counter-affidavit on October 15, 2025. Another materials engineer filed an entry of appearance with manifestation requesting 10 days from October 27 to file the counter-affidavit. And as of today, he has filed his counter-affidavit with the Office of the Ombudsman,’ Clavano added.