The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division on Tuesday, March 10, denied resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co and others’ petition for bail.

“Using the standard of evident guilt or presumption of guilt as defined in People v. Cabral, this Court finds that accused (Gene Ryan) Altea, (Ruben) Santos, (Dominic) Serrano, (Montrexis) Tamayo, (Dennis) Abagon, (Juliet) Calvo, (Lerma) Cayco, (Gerald) Pacanan, and (Felisardo) Casuno are not entitled to bail,” the Court said in a brief, five-page resolution.

Co and his co-accused asserted that the evidence against them is not strong, being “mere speculations, conjectures, and assumptions,” and that they are demonstrably willing to cooperate with the Court, among other arguments.

Pacanan argued that he voluntarily surrendered to the Court in November last year, when a warrant was reportedly issued against him, possibly indicating his readiness to submit, and that all individuals, save those charged with offenses punishable by reclusion perpetua, have the right to bail.

The Court’s Fifth Division earlier granted the prosecution’s request to issue a Writ of Preliminary Attachment on 16 real estate properties linked to Co.