The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has declared former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co “a fugitive from justice,” ordering the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to immediately cancel his Philippine passport.
In its December 10, 2025 resolution, the court said that “[b]y consciously choosing to remain at large and not presenting himself to the authorities, accused Co is evading the legal process.”
Co is facing graft charges before the same division over a road dike construction project in Oriental Mindoro.
The division, chaired by Associate Justice Zaldy Trespeses, cited Co’s failure to submit to the court’s jurisdiction as grounds for granting the motion. The court noted that the arrest warrant against him remains unserved because he is still abroad.
According to the resolution, “The prosecution established a pattern of non-compliance and avoidance that demonstrates an intent to evade prosecution,” referencing Co’s refusal to comply with directives from the House of Representatives, a subpoena from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, and the Ombudsman’s requirement for a counter affidavit.
The court said the cancellation of Co’s passport would help facilitate the service of the arrest warrant. While it allowed entries of appearance from his counsel, it stressed these filings were “merely noted” since the accused is “not entitled to seek judicial relief.”
In a separate resolution, the Sandiganbayan also tagged the following Sunwest Inc. board members as fugitives: Aderma Angelie Salazar, Cesar Buenaventura, and Noel Cao.
The court said, “To date, herein accused remain at large despite being constructively aware through media coverage of the filing of the information and issuance of warrants of arrest against them,” adding that National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents failed to serve the warrants at their last known addresses.
Co and the Sunwest officials face graft and non-bailable malversation charges over a ₱290 million substandard road dike project in Oriental Mindoro. Only nine of the 16 accused— all DPWH officials — are currently in government custody.