Jamaine Punzalan

Then Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Cong. Zaldy Co in Rapu-Rapu, Albay on May 23, 2025. Ako Bicol party-list

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Rep. Zaldy Co

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178218159574620251114-ako-bicol-rep-zaldy-co-ABPL9.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Then Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Cong. Zaldy Co in Rapu-Rapu, Albay on May 23, 2025. Ako Bicol party-list</div>MANILA — The Sandiganbayan upheld its earlier ruling, which <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/2/sandiganbayan-denies-demurrer-to-evidence-of-zaldy-co-s-9-co-accused-1647">denied the demurrer to evidence</a> filed by several former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Mimaropa officials, who are the co-accused of former lawmaker Zaldy Co in a malversation case related to the flood control scandal. In a resolution promulgated on Tuesday, the anti-graft court’s Sixth Division denied the bid of DPWH-Mimaropa officials Gerald Pacanan, Dominic Serrano, Juliet Calvo, Dennis Abagon, Montrexis Tamayo, Lerma Cayco, and Felisardo Casuno.A motion for leave of court to file a demurrer to evidence asks the court to dismiss a case due to the prosecution&#x27;s failure to present sufficient evidence to warrant a conviction. If the court denies the motion, the accused still retains the right to present their own evidence and defense.The defense reiterated that the prosecution failed to prove their involvement or establish conspiracy, arguing that the accused’s signatures on the project’s inspection and billing documents were merely ministerial acts.They also claimed the court made a &quot;sweeping declaration&quot; that granting the motion would only serve to delay the proceedings.However, the court said it is not required to issue an exhaustive factual and legal analysis when ruling on an interim motion.&quot;The word &#x27;decision’... pertains to a decision or judgment on the merits. It does not refer to resolutions or orders on interlocutory or incidental matters,” the resolution read. “At present, this Court is only being asked to resolve the matter of granting or denying leave for the accused to file their respective demurrers to evidence. It is not required to decide on the full merits of the case,” it said. It added that the grounds raised by the accused are a mere reiteration of previous arguments. The court reminded the defendants that they can still choose to file a demurrer to evidence without the court&#x27;s leave. However, doing so would waive their right to present any defense evidence.The court, chaired by Associate Justice Sarah Fernandez, rescheduled the supposed Tuesday trial to June 30.The defense asked the court to cancel the hearing because it needed more time to review its legal options following the denial of their bid. The case stemmed from an allegedly anomalous flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/22/cyberlibel-complaints-vs-ex-bodyguards-of-zaldy-co-submitted-for-resolution-1816">Cyberlibel complaints vs. ex-bodyguards of Zaldy Co submitted for resolution</a> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/17/sandiganbayan-rejects-bid-to-inhibit-justices-in-zaldy-co-s-flood-control-case-1938">Sandiganbayan rejects bid to inhibit justices in Zaldy Co’s flood control case</a> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/4/zaldy-co-s-lawyer-still-unaware-of-his-whereabouts-1757">Zaldy Co’s lawyer says unaware of his whereabouts</a></div><div> <iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2t-6rkCsSys?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division on Tuesday rescheduled the trial of former Rep. Zaldy Co’s malversation case to June 30 after the defense asked for more time to review its legal options.

The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division on Tuesday rescheduled the trial of former Rep. Zaldy Co’s malversation case to June 30 after the defense asked for more time to review its legal options.

Sandiganbayan upholds denial of demurrer to evidence of Zaldy Co's co-accused

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Sandiganbayan upholds denial of demurrer to evidence of Zaldy Co's co-accused

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 23, 2026 10:29 AM PHT

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Updated June 23, 2026 11:41 AM PHT

Read More:

corruption

flood control

baha

Zaldy Co

malversation

trial

Sandiganbayan

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