SC orders comments on Zaldy Co petition without issuing TRO

The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday said that it has not issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) amid Ako Bicol Party-List Representative Zaldy Co's petition on the Ombudsman’s resolution recommending charges against him over anomalous flood control projects.

“No TRO was issued," the SC said. 

The High Court, meanwhile, directed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) ) to comment on the petition within 10 days from notice “without necessarily giving due course to the petition.”

When sought for comment, Ombudsman spokesperson Mico Clavano said the Office of the Ombudsman is ready with its counterarguments. 

“The sooner we resolve this, the better,” he told reporters.

GMA News Online has asked the ICI for comment and will publish its response once available.

Co previously asked the High Court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the Ombudsman’s resolution recommending charges against him.

The High Court previously said it would deliberate on whether Co’s petition is covered by the rule barring fugitives from seeking judicial relief.

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

Meanwhile, in a resolution dated February 3, the Sandiganbayan declared Co a fugitive from justice and ruled that he cannot participate in court proceedings or seek any judicial relief until he surrenders.

The former lawmaker left the country in 2025 for medical reasons and has yet to return. Since then, malversation and graft charges were filed against him over an allegedly substandard P289-million road dike project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. —VAL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News