Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said on Monday that the office’s ongoing investigation into the flood control anomalies has yielded “more and more” evidence against resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co. Moreover, the preliminary investigation into the case filed against Sunwest Corp., of which Co is a beneficial owner, is nearing a conclusion.

“The Office of the Ombudsman at ‘yung DOJ noong nandoon po kami, will always be evidence-based. And as of right now, the evidence to show is not yet sufficient with regards to Martin Romualdez. However, with regards to Zaldy Co, we’re already seeing more and more evidence unfold,” he said in an exclusive interview on Balansyado on Monday, October 27.

Atty. Clavano said that Senate witness Orly Guteza’s testimony could have been counted as evidence against former House Speaker Romualdez. However, Guteza does not appear to be a credible source after retracting his statement on the same day he had disclosed it, Clavano said.

It can be recalled that Guteza testified to having delivered “basura” or cold cash to Co and Romualdez’s residences.

When asked about how soon the Office of the Ombudsman plans to hold those behind the flood control scandal accountable amid the public’s clamor for justice, Clavano responded that the office empathizes with their agitation and that it acts on cases with urgency.

“Everything that is being done sa office ni Ombudsman is acted on upon (with) urgency… Nage-gets ho talaga namin ‘yung frustration at ‘yung pagka-inip na ng mga tao, and we are definitely doing all we can, trying to keep a united front para po mas mapalakas ‘yung ating response dito sa nangyari,” he told the anchors.

Clavano said that in order to forcibly bring Co home, as a person of interest, if not a fugitive under investigation, a case must be filed against him, which will likely entail the consequent issuance of an arrest warrant.

“Hindi lang HDO (Hold Departure Order) ang gusto nating ipalabas, kundi warrant of arrest na po, dahil halos magkasabay po ‘yan, pag-file ho natin ng isang criminal case laban sa isang public official sa court, maglalabas ho kaagad ‘yan ng warrant of arrest if it finds probable cause,” he said.

With a case lodged in court and an HDO, available remedies include cancelling Co’s passport and, should a warrant of arrest be issued, the government may request an INTERPOL (International Criminal Police Organization) Red Notice, Clavano explained.

The first case filed by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon is already nearing conclusion under preliminary investigation. This is the case filed against Sunwest Corp.

On Tuesday, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) announced it has once again issued a subpoena against Co.