The Office of the Ombudsman has submitted for resolution a malversation case involving former Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co, Sunwest Inc., and other DPWH Region IV-B officials linked to anomalous flood control projects in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla confirmed.
“Dito sa Office of the Ombudsman, ang aming tingin, maunang maifa-file na kaso ni Zaldy Co at ang ibang mga opisyal ng DPWH… at bumubuo ng kumpanyang Sunwest,” Remulla said.
“Once resolved, ang ibig sabihin niyan ay pwede na isampa sa korte pagkatapos nito kasi nag-imbestiga na ang Kagawaran ng Katarungan at Office of the Ombudsman,” he added.
The case will be filed before the Sandiganbayan against more than 10 respondents with salary grades 27 and above.
Signed contracts are cited as key evidence, even as Co maintains he divested from Sunwest Inc.
“Meron tayong pag-aaral sa beneficial interest. Kahit mag-divest [si Co], sa kanila pa rin. Madali magdahilan na nag-divest pero kung sa kanila pa rin ‘yan, kung sa anak niya nagpunta, sa kapatid niya nagpunta, may prohibited interest pa rin,” Remulla explained.
The Ombudsman is investigating 10 flood-control cases, while five DOJ cases are in preliminary stages.