Zaldy Co lawyer disowns negotiation feelers

The counsel of former House Appropriations Committee Chairman Zaldy Co disowned alleged feelers from the former congressman. 

Atty. Ruy Rondain told GMA Integrated News that if there were feelers from his client, they could only be unauthorized.

“As far as I know, I am the only person authorized to speak for Rep. Co. I made no such overture. So, unless they spoke with him directly, I must say that those were unauthorized feelers,” he said.

Co is facing malversation and graft charges before the Sandiganbayan for a P289-million alleged ghost flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, apart from another plunder complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation before the Justice Department. 

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said yesterday that emissaries had told his brother, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla that Co was willing to talk but added that such information was not verified. 

“It’s third hand, kaibigan ng pari, ng kaibigan ng kaibigan ng kapatid ko, so kung ganyan, lamang pa sa marites,” Secretary Remulla said. 

Ombudsman Remulla, in a text message to GMA Integrated News, refused to comment on the alleged feelers. 

Malacanang, for its part, said it is open to talking to Co but is leaving it up to the Ombudsman for any action. 

“Ang sabi naman din po even before ng ombudsman na lahat ng proteksyon na kailangan niya ay ibibigay at... kung ito po ay makakatulong par malaman natin ang katotohanan, ang gobyerno po, ang pamahalaan ay open po para malaman kung ano ang kanyang sasabihin,” Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro said. —LDF, GMA Integrated News