Zaldy Co reportedly sent 'feelers' to priests —SILG Remulla

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Wednesday that former Ako Bicol Party-List Representative Zaldy Co, who is facing an arrest warrant over anomalous flood control projects, has allegedly sent feelers to priests for a dialogue, according to Jun Veneracion's report on Super Radyo dzBB.

“Syempre we take them seriously. ‘Yung gusto makipag-dialogue kakausapin namin ‘yan. Pero kung bribe, eh wag na,” Remulla said in an ambush interview.

(Of course we take them seriously. Those who want to have a dialogue, we will talk to them. But the bribe, no.)

He said that Co’s feelers have yet to divulge why he is seeking a meeting.

“Dialogue pa lang ‘yung hinahanap niya (he’s only looking for dialogue),” he said.

Remulla, however, said this was not verified and the information was only passed through word of mouth.

“Of course, that’s not verified. Parang ang sabi pa lang, sinabi ng kaibigan na kaibigan na pinaparating,” he said.

(Of course, that’s not verified. It’s just that what was said so far is that a friend of a friend is relaying it.)

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Dating Cong. Zaldy Co, nagpadala na umano ng ‘feelers’ sa grupo ng mga pari para makipagdayalogo, ayon kay Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Jonvic Remulla. | via @jun_veneracion, @gmanews pic.twitter.com/NM5SQPGMN4

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) January 21, 2026

Co, who went abroad for medical reasons in 2025, has yet to return to the country amid the ongoing investigation on alleged anomalous flood control projects.

In an ambush interview, Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said that the alleged feelers will not affect the Justice Department's investigation into flood control projects. 

“Of course, we don't weigh evidence na wala naman doon sa proseso. Pag sinabi mo lang feelers, paano makakaapekto ‘yun, diba? ” he said.

(Of course, we don’t weigh evidence that is not part of the process. If you say feelers, how will that affect the process?)

Vida, however, said he has no knowledge of any feelers that were sent by Co.

The National Bureau of Investigation has filed a plunder complaint against Co with the Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ previously said that subpoenas may be issued within the month. 

The Ombudsman earlier filed corruption and malversation of public funds charges against Co and others with the Sandiganbayan. These charges were in connection with the alleged anomalous P289 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

Co has denied the allegations.

Meanwhile, the Sandiganbayan has declared Co as a “fugitive from justice” and ordered the cancellation of his passport amid malversation and graft charges.

Remulla previously said that Co is believed to be still in Portugal. —Joahna Lei Casilao/ VAL, GMA Integrated News