Former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co’s legal counsel refuted Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III’s claim that the ex-lawmaker is a “fugitive,” saying there is no admissible evidence linking him to alleged anomalies in the government’s flood control projects.
In an interview, Co’s lawyer, Atty. Ruy Rondain, said his client would only respond once a formal case is filed.
“Hindi siya pugante. Ang batas, ang definition ng pugante is ‘yung tao na tumakbo para tumakas from a case. Eh wala namang case pa nung pumunta siya abroad because he left several months ago, bago pa pumutok itong skandalo na ito, for medical reasons,” Rondain said.
“So wala siyang tinatakbuhan. Ngayon, baka na-misinform lang si Senator Sotto. Because sinabi niya, ‘That’s my opinion daw on what the law is,’” he added.
Rondain stressed that Co’s stay abroad was not to avoid accountability but due to legal and medical reasons.
“Kasi they keep saying na harapin niya ‘yung charges. Eh, what charges? Wala namang charge… Dapat ang nag-aakusa ang magpatunay na meron siyang kasalanan,” he said.
He also maintained that Co had no involvement in any irregular budget insertions, citing Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s earlier statement that such insertions are not illegal by themselves.
“Ang masama ‘yung may insertion kapag hindi na-implement… But insertion itself, hindi bawal, hindi illegal,” Rondain explained, adding that Co had no role in implementing flood control projects since such duties fall under local governments and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).