Former congressman Zaldy Co of the Ako Bicol Party-list has refused to accept the Ombudsman's order to submit his counter-affidavit in connection with the complaint regarding the anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.
According to Clavano from the Ombudsman's office, the document was sent to Co's last known address, but those present refused to accept it. As such, he is considered "in default" if the time limit for him to respond has passed.
Kapag idineklara ang isang tao na default, ang piskal ay gagamit lamang ng mga dokumentong naisumite ng complainant bilang basehan sa magiging desisyon. Sa kaso ni Co, ito ay kaugnay ng reklamo ng Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) na inihain noong Setyembre 29.
ICI asked the Ombudsman to file criminal and administrative charges against Co and 17 others, including for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, malversation of funds, and falsification of documents.
Zaldy Co, the founder of Sunwest Realty and Development Corporation, is currently under investigation for an alleged anomalous flood control project worth approximately ₱1.2 billion.
