Ombudsman unfazed over Zaldy Co's 'dilatory tactics' —Clavano

The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday called out former Ako-Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co for supposed attempts to delay his prosecution in connection with the alleged P289 million substandard Oriental Mindoro flood control project.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano issued the statement in response to Co's petition asking the Supreme Court to stop the Ombudsman's prosecution of him over the alleged anomalous project for lack of merit. 

"The Office of the Ombudsman will not be distracted by dilatory tactics meant to derail the in-depth investigation into his illegal and corrupt acts," Clavano said.

"We will stay focused," added Clavano.

In his petition, Co asked the High Court to issue a temporary restraining order against the Ombudsman resolution on November 14, 2025 recommending the charges against the former lawmaker.

He also asked the court to annul the resolution claiming that Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla acted in haste in filing the case against Co. 

“… this Honorable Court issue an ex-parte temporary restraining order and/or writ of preliminary injunction restraining and/or enjoining respondent Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, in his capacity as the Ombudsman … from implementing the resolution dated 14 November 2025…. Including but not limited to desisting from prosecuting criminal cases nos. SB-25-CRM-0039, 0040, and 0041, Sandiganbayan , 5th, 6th, and 7th Divisions,” the petition read. 

Co, who is facing an arrest warrant, claimed that the Ombudsman did not properly inform him of the charges and prevented his lawyers from accessing case documents. 

“He was never properly served with any order to file counter-affidavit …In disregard of Co’s constitutional right to due process and established rules of procedure, the Ombudsman declined resort to other available modes of service and merely proceeded to indict Co,” the petition said.

GMA Integrated News exclusively obtained a copy of the certiorari petition against the Ombudsman filed on January 25, with an apostille that Co personally signed the petition before a notary public in the municipality of Nacka in Stockholm Sweden on January 15. 

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Thursday said he was "surprised" by reports Co personally appeared in Sweden. This, after Remulla last week said Co is believed to be staying inside a gated community in Lisbon, Portugal. —VAL, GMA Integrated News