A GMA News graphic showing a black-and-white image of Zaldy Co with the headline “Sandiganbayan declares Zaldy Co as ‘fugitive from justice’ – Dec. 11 2025.”

Sandiganbayan Declares Zaldy Co a “Fugitive from Justice” — Pero Bakit Parang May Bahid ng Pampulitikang Timing?

December 12, 20255 min read

The Sandiganbayan has officially declared Zaldy Co, the former House appropriations chair and Ako Bicol Representative, a “fugitive from justice.” Alongside that declaration comes the DFA’s order to cancel his passport, effectively limiting his ability to flee the country.

Zaldy Co declared ‘fugitive from justice’

On paper, this looks like accountability.
But zoom out a little — and suddenly, the timing becomes suspicious.

🔍 Why only NOW?

For months, the public has heard testimonies, whistleblowers, engineers, procurement officers, and even lawmakers detailing ₱35 billion worth of alleged budget insertions, ghost projects, and flood-control anomalies tied to Co. Yet, despite the explosive evidence, nothing happened…

…until Co began naming names.

And not just any names.
He pointed directly at powerful figures inside the Marcos-Romualdez bloc, alleging:

  • ₱50B insertions across national budgets,

  • Collusion in DPWH allocations,

  • Pressure from top House officials,

  • Systems built to funnel public money into private pockets.

Suddenly — after weeks of exposing the machinery — the system strikes back.
Passport cancelled. Tagging him as “fugitive.” Public narrative flipped.


🧠 Political pattern? Let’s review.

When whistleblowers accuse small fish:
→ Swift arrest.
→ Public shaming.

When whistleblowers accuse powerful political clans:
→ Silence. Delay. Executive sessions. Closed-door hearings.
→ Then suddenly, the whistleblower becomes the headline.

It’s a classic move:
Flip the story. Hide the truth. Punish the exposer, protect the exposed.


🦅 “Truth first. Politics later.”

For many who support accountability — including the Duterte bloc — Co’s tagging as “fugitive” will never erase the billion-peso questions he raised.

You can cancel a passport.
You can shut down a witness.
But you cannot cancel the evidence already presented before the public.

As Proverbs 28:13 says:

“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

Accountability starts with truth — not timing.


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Zaldy Co’s Passport Still Active

Zaldy Co’s Passport Still Active — DFA Says No Court Order Yet for Revocation

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed that the passport of former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co remains active, despite public uproar and multiple graft-related allegations tied to the nationwide flood-control controversies.

Photo of the Department of Foreign Affairs building in Manila, reflecting glass facade, with people walking near the entrance. Headline discusses that Zaldy Co’s passport remains active because the DFA has not received a court order for cancellation.

According to DFA spokesperson Angelica Escalona, the agency cannot revoke a Philippine passport unless a competent court issues a formal order. As of today, no such order has been received.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)

This means Co is still legally allowed to travel abroad, even after:

  • ❗ Facing graft and malversation charges

  • ❗ Being implicated in allegedly overpriced and substandard flood-control projects

  • ❗ Being linked to kickbacks transported in “20+ suitcases” according to Senate testimonies

  • ❗ Having warrants of arrest issued against him and several DPWH officials

Under the Philippine Passport Act (RA 11803), a passport may be cancelled only if:

  1. The holder is a fugitive or evading justice

  2. The holder is convicted of a criminal offense

  3. The passport was obtained through fraud

For many Filipinos, the issue isn’t merely legal procedure — it’s about public perception of justice.
Why does accountability for high-ranking officials move slowly, while disciplinary actions against dissenting lawmakers move with unusual speed?

As the flood-control scandal grows, more questions emerge:
Is the system protecting the powerful?
Or simply following the law despite public frustration?

For now, Co remains free to travel, while the nation waits for the courts — and for justice — to catch up.


Zaldy Co at Pitong Kongresista, Sinampahan ng Plunder — Pero Bakit Parang Mas Marami ang Nangangamba?

Habang lumalalim ang imbestigasyon sa ₱90-billion flood control anomaly, pumutok ngayong araw ang mas mabigat na balita:
Zaldy Co at pitong kongresista, kasama ang ilang opisyal, harap-harapan nang sinampahan ng plunder, anti-graft, bribery, at conflict of interest charges ng Independent Congressional Inquiry (ICI) at ng DPWH.

Pero ang tanong ng bayan:
Bakit ngayon lang? At bakit parang mas takot pa ang nasa itaas kaysa sa mga sinampahan?

Screenshot of former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co delivering a video statement, wearing a brown blazer against a plain white background. A quote card from Inquirer.net displays his statement on alleged kickback sharing involving Speaker Martin Romualdez and President Marcos.

🔍 Key Points from the Investigation

  • 📌 ₱1.3B worth of “rigged and manipulated” projects na nag-ugat sa flood control allocations.

  • 📌 Pitong opisyal ng DPWH at pitong congressmen ang nasa listahan.

  • 📌 Zaldy Co — dating Ako Bicol Rep. — kabilang sa recommended for plunder.

  • 📌 Mga contractor allegedly nakatanggap ng pabor dahil “malapit sa pamilya o opisina ng mga kongresista.”

  • 📌 Mga kumpanya raw ay linked sa mga political families — pero walang sinabi kung sino ang political patrons nila.

  • 📌 Ang Ombudsman ang magsasampa ng formal cases.

  • 📌 May mga “nagpupumilit maglinis ng pangalan” kahit may hawak nang exhibits A to Z ang ICI at DPWH.

Hindi na ito simpleng graft.
Hindi ito simpleng insertion.
Ito ay organisadong sistema ng kickbacks, mula bidding hanggang payment.

Pero isang tanong ang paulit-ulit na bumabalik:

Bakit hanggang ngayon, wala pa ring pangalan mula sa Office of the President na nasasabit, samantalang lahat ng opisyal sa baba ay naliligo na sa kaso?

Kung baga sa chess:
puro pawn ang sinasakripisyo, pero never ang king.


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Naaalala mo ’yung presscon?
Na “fake news lang” daw.
Na “quality of statements” daw.
Na “come home, come home” daw.

Pero ngayon, may plunder charges na.
May ₱12B frozen assets.
May 3,566 bank accounts.
May 178 real properties.
May e-wallets.
May air assets.

Kung fake news pala,
bakit parang buong gobyerno ang nag-imbestiga?

“For nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, nor anything secret that will not be known.” — Luke 8:17

Hindi natatakpan ng narrative ang ebidensya.
Hindi natatakpan ng pogi speech ang plunder.
Sa huli, lahat lalabas — kahit sino pa ang nakaupo.

Zaldy Co + 7 congressmen officially face plunder, graft, bribery complaints

  • DPWH + ICI submitted evidence bundles to the Ombudsman

  • Over ₱1.3B worth of manipulated projects identified

  • Multiple construction firms linked to lawmakers’ families

  • ICI: “This is not political persecution — this is financial crime.”

  • Several accused lawmakers deny involvement but cannot explain company links

  • Public questions why baba lang ang nasasabit, while top-level influencers remain untouched

  • Frozen assets of Zaldy Co now at ₱12B

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