Former Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) President Atty. Domingo “Egon” Cayosa believes there is already enough evidence to charge Albay Representative Zaldy Co in connection with the alleged anomalous flood control projects and questionable budget insertions.
“Base sa publicized na pagbubunyag at sa mga dokumento, sapat na iyon para kasuhan siya,” Cayosa said in an interview on DZRH’s Balansyado.
“Kahit magtago siya at hindi na bumalik dito, makakasuhan siya. Pangalawa, kapag nakasuhan siya, pwedeng mag-issue ng warrant laban sa kanya.”
Cayosa underscored that the government has both the legal means and international channels to go after Co even if he remains overseas.
“Pangatlo, kahit saang parte ng mundo siya magtago... karamihan ng bansa sa mundo mayroong INTERPOL agreement. Kung talagang may political will, pwede siyang ipahuli,” he added.
“Pang-apat, hindi ba pina-freeze na lahat ng account niya? Mahirap magtago kung wala ka nang pera. Pwedeng gawan ng paraan ng gobyerno na mahuli siya kung talagang gusto ng gobyerno.”
He also dismissed the notion that it would be difficult for the Philippine government to arrest Co if he is abroad, further stating that the government has enough resources, power, and diplomatic relations to pursue Zaldy Co.
“Kung talagang gusto ng gobyerno, they have the resources, they have the legal basis. Meron tayong sapat na diplomatic relations so that the other countries [would] cooperate with us.”
On Romualdez’s Possible Role as State Witness
Cayosa also weighed in on the possibility of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez being considered a state witness in the same case. He clarified that this will depend on the findings of investigators and the provisions of the State Witness Protection Law.
“Ang pinaka-relevant na probisyon ng batas, ng State Witness Protection Law, ay ‘he should not appeal to the most guilty.’ So, depende iyan kung anong ebidensya o anong impormasyon ang nakalap ng ICI o ng Ombudsman o DOJ,” Cayosa said.
He added that Romualdez cannot completely claim ignorance of the budget process given his previous role as Speaker of the the House of Representatives in which majority of the documents within congress passes through him for review and approval.
“Kung makita naman nila na nabigla lang siya diyan, hindi naman siya nag-conspire kay Cong. Zaldy Co sa pag-iinsert, at hindi naman siya nagdemand doon sa 25% commission sa mga unprogrammed funds... hindi niya pwedeng sabihin na hindi niya alam iyan totally kasi ang General Appropriate Act ay pinipirmahan ng Senate President, Speaker of the House, at inaaprubahan ng presidente.”
Cayosa’s remarks center on the government’s ability and responsibility to act, asserting that pursuing Zaldy Co’s accountability is not a question of capacity — but of political will.
