Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177553593140117731801829681773180178992.webp" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co.<em> House of Representatives/File</em><br/></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATE</strong>) – Former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co allegedly received around P802 million from the accounts of Sunwest Inc., based on testimony presented by a bank officer from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) on Tuesday.</p><p>During the continuation of the malversation trial of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Mimaropa officials before the Sixth Division of the Sandiganbayan, AMLC financial investigator Jan Mark Busa said the transactions involved cash inflows drawn by Co from Sunwest’s accounts between 2019 and 2025.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/11/marcos-jr-confirms-zaldy-co-in-portugal-0617">Marcos Jr. confirms Zaldy Co in Portugal</a></div><p>Busa&#x27;s testimony was based on two reports: one covering transactions involving Co&#x27;s personal account and dealings with other individuals or entities, and another detailing the results of a bank inquiry into Sunwest Inc.</p><p>According to bank records obtained by the AMLC, the transactions included alleged cash inflows and deposits from Sunwest to Co&#x27;s accounts.</p><p>&quot;These are strong indicators of beneficial ownership – economic benefits kasi yun, you are receiving money from Sunwest – these are strong indicators that Zaldy Co is a beneficial owner of Sunwest. That is basically what the testimony is about,&quot; the prosecution told reporters at the sidelines of the trial. </p><p>Prosecutors clarified that the transactions were not limited to the Naujan flood mitigation project in Oriental Mindoro, but involved multiple dealings between Sunwest and Co.</p><p>&quot;Wala naman siyang direct participation in the transaction per se. The ones contracting with DPWH is Sunwest. But the fact that he is a beneficial owner, we are trying to prove, is essentially sa kanya napunta ang benefits and the amount malversed in this case,&quot; the prosecution said. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/11/ombudsman-malversation-case-against-zaldy-co-others-submitted-for-resolution-1729">Ombudsman: Malversation case against Co, Sunwest Inc, DPWH Region IV-B officials submitted for resolution</a></div><p>Busa is the final witness to be presented by the prosecution for its evidence-in-chief, a stage in the trial where a party lays out its full set of evidence to support its case.</p><p>Sandiganbayan 6th Division Associate Justice Kevin Narce Vivero gave the prosecution 10 days to make an offer of evidence, while the defense was also given 10 days for their comments or opposition. </p><p>The defense said it would present around 66 witnesses for their evidence-in-chief. </p><p>The anti-graft court, meanwhile, rejected the defense counsels&#x27; request to hold the remaining trials once a week once they begin presenting their witnesses. </p><p>Some defense counsels argued that they would need more time to prepare, given that some of their witnesses were from Oriental Mindoro and they have another case in the 5th Division. </p><p>One of the lawyers of the accused also pointed out that the Ombudsman special prosecutors have subpoena powers, while the defense counsels had to file necessary motions to secure the attendance of their witnesses. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/1/sandiganbayan-upholds-denial-of-bail-for-dpwh-mimaropa-officials-in-flood-control-mess-1431">Sandiganbayan upholds denial of bail for DPWH-Mimaropa officials in flood control mess</a></div><p>&quot;We humbly request to afford the necessary leeway for each accused to present their evidence for the full understanding of the court thereof,&quot; one of the defense counsels said. </p><p>Justice Vivero, however, noted that the accused are detained, which was why they had to &quot;handle this case with deliberate speed.&quot; </p><p>&quot;If we conduct a hearing once a week, how are we going to hear 66 witnesses?&quot; he said. </p><p>&quot;At this point, you should have a very clear picture of what the evidence will be. Each accused is being represented by at least one counsel,&quot; he added. </p><p>The defense counsels said they would file a motion for leave of court to file demurrer to evidence. </p><p>Meanwhile, the trial will resume on June 2 and June 4 and every Tuesdays and Thursdays thereafter. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oEI1-1xa32k?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xTh_shHq3bg?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The prosecution said this suggests that <i>former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co</i> was the "beneficial owner" of the controversial firm.</p>

The prosecution said this suggests that former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co was the "beneficial owner" of the controversial firm.

Over P800M cash flowed from Sunwest to Zaldy Co from 2019 to 2025—AMLC officer

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Over P800M cash flowed from Sunwest to Zaldy Co from 2019 to 2025—AMLC officer

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 07, 2026 12:40 PM PHT

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Updated April 07, 2026 05:48 PM PHT

Read More:

AMLC

Oriental Mindoro

Sandiganbayan

Zaldy Co

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