Former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, along with other congressmen, may be included in the first batch of flood control cases set to be filed before the Sandiganbayan in November, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said.
In an ambush interview at the Senate on Friday, Remulla said Co is ‘most likely included’ in the initial batch of cases to be filed before the anti-graft court.
‘I don’t have the complete list. But many names are on it, including some congressmen,’ Remulla said in Filipino.
‘Most likely included because I remember seeing a Mindoro case filed,’ he added when asked specifically if Co would be charged.
Co has recently been implicated in alleged irregularities in infrastructure projects, particularly flood control works in Bulacan. Former district and assistant engineers testified that he was involved in budget insertions that totaled at least P35 billion from 2022 to 2025.
They also claimed that kickbacks were delivered to Co, including one alleged delivery of P1 billion in cash, packed into more than 20 suitcases and transported in multiple vans to his penthouse at a luxury hotel in Taguig.
Remulla also said he is uncertain whether any senators will be included in the first batch of cases expected in November.
‘As for senators, I am not sure if any are included,’ he said in Filipino.
At the Senate subpanel on finance’s hearing on the proposed 2026 budget of the Ombudsman, Sen. Gatchalian noted that filing cases before the Sandiganbayan can take two to three years.
Responding to Gatchalian, Remulla said that under his leadership, case filings-particularly for anomalous flood control projects-would no longer take long.
‘What’s good about this is that, because of the crisis, we found ways to fast-track cases,’ Remulla said. When asked when cases would be filed with the Sandiganbayan, he said they are targeting within 30 days.
‘Hopefully, within 30 days, we will be able to file before the Sandiganbayan. That’s possible,’ he added.