Supreme Court to deliberate on Zaldy Co plea amid fugitive rule

The Supreme Court (SC) will deliberate on the petition filed by former Ako Bicol Party-List Representative Zaldy Co and determine whether or not it is covered by the rule barring fugitives from seeking judicial relief.

Supreme Court spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting on Thursday said Co's petition, where he asked the High Court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the Ombudsman resolution recommending charges against him, will be placed on the SC's agenda.

"We will have to wait and see what the court or how the court acts on this petition," she said when asked whether it will be covered by the new rules.

In November 2025, the SC set procedures and criteria for declaring an accused person a fugitive from justice.

The SC defined fugitives as accused individuals who flee not only to avoid punishment but also to evade prosecution. The Court said fugitives are barred from seeking judicial relief.

Co, who went abroad for medical reasons in 2025, has yet to return to the country amid the malversation and graft charges filed against him over the P289-million substandard road dike project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

The Sandiganbayan has declared the former official as a "fugitive from justice."

Based on the apostille attached to his petition, Co was in Stockholm, Sweden on January 15. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Thursday the Philippine government will coordinate with Swedish authorities. — VDV, GMA Integrated News