Former congressman Elizaldy Co may forfeit his opportunity to defend himself in a corruption probe after failing to formally respond to the Office of the Ombudsman’s directive linked to alleged irregular flood control projects.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano told reporters on Monday, November 3, that investigators delivered an order for Co to submit a counter-affidavit to his last recorded address last week. However, individuals at the property reportedly refused to accept the document.
Clavano stressed that the directive was legally served and “deemed received already” by Co. If he continues to ignore the notice, Clavano warned that the former lawmaker will be considered “in default”, meaning he will no longer be allowed to file his defense or submit supporting documents.
The probe stems from a report by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, which flagged P289.5 million worth of alleged ghost and substandard flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro. The works were reportedly linked to Co-owned Sunwest Inc.
Co resigned from Congress earlier this year and left the Philippines in August, claiming he needed medical treatment in the United States. Officials say his current whereabouts remain unclear.
Despite this, Clavano said authorities are monitoring him. “The ombudsman has intelligence on his whereabouts,” he noted, adding that once charges are filed, prosecutors could request the cancellation of Co’s passport and, if necessary, issue an international alert. “Once an arrest warrant is out, we can request an Interpol red notice,” he said.
