The Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday filed the first batch of criminal cases before the Sandiganbayan against former Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co and several officials over alleged anomalies in the ₱289.5 million Naujan, Oriental Mindoro road dike project.
Co, owner of Sunwest Construction and Development Corp., along with DPWH and Sunwest officials, faces two counts of graft and malversation of public funds.
“This is the first (filing) of many cases,” Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano told reporters.
Ombudsman prosecutors recommended no bail for the malversation charge, noting the amount allegedly malversed exceeded ₱8.8 million.
“On the bail recommendation… the panel of Ombudsman prosecutors has recommended no bail for the malversation charge,” Clavano said.
The Ombudsman also requested the Sandiganbayan to raffle the cases to its divisions and promptly issue arrest warrants and a hold departure order.
Clavano assured the public: “The Office of the Ombudsman assures the Filipino people that we will pursue this case firmly, independently, and without fear or favor. Public funds were meant to protect communities from flooding, not to enrich officials or private contractors.”
Co is widely regarded as a key figure in the multibillion-peso flood control controversy, accused of orchestrating questionable budget insertions and enabling substandard or “ghost” flood mitigation structures.