Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

<div><br/></div><p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATED) </strong>— Former Ako Bicol Party-List Rep.Zaldy Co does not intend to file a counter-affidavit at the Office of the Ombudsman, his lawyer Ruy Rondain said.</p><p>Rondain added he believes Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has prejudged the case for saying he intends to file cases by November 25.</p><p>“Now, assuming Mr. Co is served today, that doesn&#x27;t give them a lot of time for him to answer and for the ombudsman to review and to write a resolution,&quot; he pointed out.</p><p>&quot;Under these circumstances, there&#x27;s really no tactical benefit to filing a counter-affidavit,” Rondain said during a press briefing in Pasay on Wednesday, November 5.</p><p>Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon earlier said up to 60 people implicated in the flood control issue could be in jail by Christmas. </p><p>Rondain also questioned the existence of a complaint for Co to respond to in the first place.</p><p>“When I say complaint, I mean something that has been sworn to under oath. And the only thing I&#x27;ve heard is that the [Independent Commission for Infrastructure] has referred its tentative findings to the ombudsman,&quot; he said.</p><p>Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano previously said an order to file a counter-affidavit was sent to Co’s last known addresses.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/3/order-to-file-counter-affidavit-sent-to-zaldy-co-s-last-known-addresses-ombudsman-1749"><strong>Order to file counter-affidavit sent to Zaldy Co’s last known addresses, recipient ‘refused to accept’ – Ombudsman</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>CO FACING ‘SERIOUS THREATS’</strong></div><p>Co is “deathly afraid” to come home to the Philippines as he faces “serious threats” to his life, Rondain said.</p><p>The lawmaker had resigned in September when House Speaker Faustino Dy III ordered him to come home to answer allegations against him.</p><p>Rondain said he does not recommend that Co return to the country because of the possibility of violence against him by vigilantes.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/29/-p50m-per-large-suitcase-ici-report-details-alleged-kickback-deliveries-to-zaldy-co-2156"><strong>‘P50M per large suitcase’: ICI details alleged kickback deliveries to Zaldy Co<br/></strong></a></div><p>&quot;We&#x27;ll see him as soon as the fear of violence against him abates. So I don&#x27;t know. Might be next week, might be January,” the lawyer said.</p><p>Asked if Co might attend the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s next hearing on the flood control scandal, Rondain said he does not think Co has any intention to be back by then.</p><p>He also denied allegations by former aide Orly Guteza that deliveries of kickback money had been made to Co.</p><p>Rondain also argued that Co is not fleeing accountability since his client had flown out of the Philippines “for medical reasons” as early as February.</p><p>“&#x27;Di ba? When did this blow up? After the SONA. He flew out as early as February, I think. So hindi siya tumakbo (He did not run). Let&#x27;s get that clear. Again, let&#x27;s redirect the narrative,” Rondain said.</p>

<p>The lawyer of Zaldy Co on Wednesday said the former lawmaker was "deathly afraid” to come home to the Philippines as he faces “serious threats” to his life.</p>

The lawyer of Zaldy Co on Wednesday said the former lawmaker was "deathly afraid” to come home to the Philippines as he faces “serious threats” to his life.

Zaldy Co 'deathly afraid' to come home, won't counter Ombudsman case: lawyer

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Zaldy Co 'deathly afraid' to come home, won't counter Ombudsman case: lawyer

Agatha Gregorio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 05, 2025 11:50 AM PHT

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Updated Nov 05, 2025 07:16 PM PHT

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Zaldy Co

corruption

crime

Ombudsman

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