Sandiganbayan declares Rep Zaldy Co fugitive, seeks passport cancellation

The Sandiganbayan has declared Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co as a "fugitive from justice" and has requested the Department of Foreign Affairs to cancel his passport.

The anti-graft court cited a pattern of non-compliance and avoidance by Co, indicating an intent to evade prosecution.

Co and 16 others are facing malversation and graft charges related to a P289 million substandard road dike project.

The court noted that Co resigned from his House position instead of returning to the country, ignored subpoenas, and failed to file a counter-affidavit.

The Sandiganbayan emphasized that Co left the country while investigations into alleged corruption were active and formal charges were imminent.

His departure was deemed a strategic move, providing sufficient grounds to infer a deliberate attempt to flee from justice.