Zaldy Co trial at Sandiganbayan to start on January 20 —DPWH Sec. Dizon

The trial of the case against former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co before the Sandiganbayan will begin on January 20, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon said Monday.

In a press conference, Dizon said he will testify in Co’s trial.

“On January 20, ako'y magtetestigo sa Sandiganbayan sa trial ni former Congressman Zaldy Co. We will give you updates doon sa aking sworn testimony sa kasong 'yan,” Dizon said.

(On January 20, I will testify at the Sandiganbayan in the trial of former Congressman Zaldy Co. We will give you updates on my sworn testimony in that case.)

“At siyempre dahil ako ang complainant sa marami sa mga kasong ito, makikita niyo akong magtetestigo sa maraming mga kaso sa mga susunod na linggo, susunod na buwang patuloy nitong proseso nating pananagot ng mga dapat managot,” he added.

(And of course, since I am the complainant in many of these cases, you will see me testifying in many cases in the coming weeks or months as we continue this process of holding those who should be held accountable.)

Arrest warrants have been issued against Co and others including officials of the DPWH and directors of Sunwest Corp. over supposed anomalous flood control programs.

On November 18, the Ombudsman filed with the Sandiganbayan corruption and malversation of public funds charges against Co and others. 

The charges were in connection with the alleged anomalous P289 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. 

Co has denied the allegations.

Last December, the Sandiganbayan declared Co, also a former House appropriations panel chairperson, as a "fugitive from justice" and ordered the cancellation of his Philippine passport by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) asked the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to issue a red notice against Co.

According to Interpol, a red notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person who is wanted by a requesting member country or an international tribunal pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

Last week, the NBI filed a new plunder complaint against Co with the Department of Justice (DOJ), the details of which have not yet been divulged.

The DOJ has started its preliminary investigation into the complaint, DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said. —KG, GMA Integrated News