DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla Speaks on Gov’t Pursuit to Bring Zaldy Co Back to PH
REMULLA – The Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary assured that the government remains in pursuit of an Interpol Red Notice against Zaldy Co.
President Bongbong Marcos previously vowed to bring Zaldy Co back to the Philippines and make him answer to the Filipino people. The former chairman of the House of Representatives’ Budget Appropriations Committee is one of the alleged main role player in the flood control mess.
The supposed multi-billion flood control corruption in the Philippines brought thousands of people in the streets to rally and call for accountability. The so-called Trillion Peso March was held twice.
Many Filipinos were left disappointed after several government officials were tagged in the flood control scam. Many of them are members of the House of Representatives and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) while others are senators and former senators.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla previously expressed his confidence that the Marcos Jr. administration will run after the accused in the flood control mess. Amid the issue, Pres. Bongbong Marcos ordered the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure.
More popularly known as ICI, the commission was mandated to investigate the infrastructure projects of the government. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives launched their flood control probes but the latter stopped its investigation after the creation of the ICI.
Here are the reported achievements of the ICI:
- Nine referrals, covering 65 implicated individuals, submitted to the Ombudsman, one of which was made with the Department of Public Works and Highways
- 66 individuals referred to the Department of Justice for the issuance of Immigration Lookout Bulletin Orders (ILBOs)
- 32 hearings covering 36 witnesses, including 20 legislators and five agency heads
- 16 site inspections nationwide
- 1,173 documents processed
- 6,692 bank accounts of implicated individuals frozen or subjected to freeze orders
- P24.7 billion worth of assets seized, preserved, frozen or surrendered, according to the Anti-Money Laundering Council. This includes 229 vehicles, 394 insurance policies, 161 real properties, 16 e-wallet accounts and 10 air assets
- Eight inter-agency coordination meetings conducted and six legislative sessions attended
- Three hearings livestreamed
Previously, Pres. Bongbong Marcos claimed that Zaldy Co is detained in the Czech Republic. Soon after, the Department of Justice (DOJ) clarified that Co was not arrested but restrictions were imposed.
The Philippine government also reported that Zaldy Co allegedly sought asylum in France. According to Malacañang, Marcos Jr. is disappointed that the former Congressman was not brought home.
Recently, Interior Sec. Jonvic Remulla reassured the Filipino people that the Philippine government remains in pursuit of an issuance of a Red Notice by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) against Zaldy Co. It is defined not as an international arrest warrant but as an alert for an arrest warrant.
Based on Inquirer, Remulla recently claimed that if he can only kneel before the Interpol to get a Red Notice against Zaldy Co, he will do it. Based on the post, he assured that he has weekly correspondence with the Interpol about the matter.
“Kung pwede ako lumuhod sa Interpol para makuha ‘yun, gagawin ko,” Remulla said.
According to the DILG Secretary, Zaldy Co is allegedly in France now to seek asylum. The former Congressman supposedly has a 10-bedroom house along the Champs-Elysees in Paris. Previously, the DILG Chief admitted his “mistake” on his assessment over bringing Zaldy Co home to the Philippines.
