NBI files new plunder complaint vs Zaldy Co

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed a new plunder complaint against former Ako Bicol Party-List Representative Zaldy Co with the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday.

“We have one additional case for plunder, specifically against former Ako Bicol Representative Elizaldy Co,” DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said in an ambush interview.

Martinez declined to divulge the specific flood control project involved as well as the former lawmaker’s co-respondents. However, he said these are Department of Public Works and Highways 9DPWH) officials.

He said the DOJ has started its preliminary investigation into the complaint.

“Wala po (none). No counsel appeared for Elizaldy Co. But then, that does not mean that the proceedings will be suspended, just because he did not appear,” he said.

“We’re working with a timeline here and any respondent for that matter, if they do or do not appear, we will proceed in accordance with the timeline under the rules,”  he added.

Co’s camp has declined to comment.

Martinez, meanwhile, said that the Justice Dept. also conducted preliminary investigation into six other cases pertaining to flood control projects of Wawao Construction and Topnotch Catalyst Builders.

Of the six, two involve separate complaints filed against Senator Joel Villanueva and former senator Bong Revilla. — RF, GMA Integrated News