Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the Philippine government can invoke an existing United Nations treaty to help locate and arrest former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co, who is linked to alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
Lacson pointed to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), adopted in 2003 and ratified by the Philippine Senate in 2006, as a legal framework that allows cooperation among 191 member states in combating corruption.
“Kung the Philippine government will tap the resources of 191 other countries, you can just imagine gaano kalawak ang maaabot para ma-locate at mahuli si Zaldy Co,” Lacson said in a radio interview.
Under Article 38 of UNCAC, state parties are obliged to assist one another in the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases.
Lacson said the Office of the Ombudsman, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Foreign Affairs could explore this option and formally seek international assistance.
This move, he added, could complement the Philippines’ request for an Interpol red notice against Co, whose passport has already been canceled.
As chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Lacson said the panel may request documents recovered by the National Bureau of Investigation from Co’s condominium unit to complete its records and help guide future legislation.
Despite the controversy, Lacson expressed hope that the Senate could still pass before the Christmas break a bill creating an Independent People’s Commission to investigate questionable infrastructure projects.
He stressed that the proposed body would be limited to fact-finding and evidence-gathering, without encroaching on the Ombudsman’s prosecutorial mandate.
Lacson also dismissed claims that the Senate has been demoralized, saying lawmakers remain committed to passing reforms.
“Nandoon pa rin ang enthusiasm at desire magtrabaho at magpasa ng panukalang batas,” he said.
Describing corruption in infrastructure projects as a “bitter pill to swallow,” Lacson warned of its impact on ordinary Filipinos.
“Dalawa ang tama sa leeg ng Pilipino. Tinamaan sa leeg sa expenditure side at tinamaan sa leeg sa revenue side. Bugbog-sarado ang Pilipino. Ang binayad mong buwis ninakaw na, tapos ang binayaran mong buwis, titirahin ka pa,” he said.
“Dapat may hangganan. May tao talagang they really don’t know when to stop, di alam kung kailan titigil,” he added.
Lacson said the Blue Ribbon Committee may resume hearings on the alleged flood control anomalies in 2026.