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Advocates Philippines
Ombudsman Files Graft, Malversation Cases Against Zaldy Co; No Bail Allowed
Photo courtesy from PTV
MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has filed the first set of cases related to anomalous flood control projects before the Sandiganbayan, including charges against former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano confirmed that Co faces two counts of graft and malversation of public funds, linked to a P 289.5-million road dike project along Mag-Asawang Tubig in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, which was found to be substandard. Also charged are several officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 4B and executives of Sunwest Inc., the contractor for the project.
The Ombudsman has filed a motion for urgent raffle of cases, along with requests for the issuance of arrest warrants and hold departure orders. According to Clavano, the charges recommended by the panel of Ombudsman prosecutors are non-bailable, meaning Co cannot post bail while facing the proceedings.
The Sandiganbayan will now handle the cases, and both Co and DPWH officials have been contacted for comment.
This filing marks a significant development in efforts to hold public officials accountable for alleged misuse of public funds in government infrastructure projects.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano confirmed that Co faces two counts of graft and malversation of public funds, linked to a P 289.5-million road dike project along Mag-Asawang Tubig in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, which was found to be substandard. Also charged are several officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 4B and executives of Sunwest Inc., the contractor for the project.
The Ombudsman has filed a motion for urgent raffle of cases, along with requests for the issuance of arrest warrants and hold departure orders. According to Clavano, the charges recommended by the panel of Ombudsman prosecutors are non-bailable, meaning Co cannot post bail while facing the proceedings.
The Sandiganbayan will now handle the cases, and both Co and DPWH officials have been contacted for comment.
This filing marks a significant development in efforts to hold public officials accountable for alleged misuse of public funds in government infrastructure projects.
Nov 18, 2025
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