Philippines Open to UN Assistance in Pursuit of Zaldy Co

The Philippine government has expressed readiness to coordinate with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) to assist in locating and arresting former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co, according to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro.

Co is facing malversation and graft cases in connection with alleged anomalies involving flood control projects.

The possible engagement with UNCAC was earlier raised by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, prompting discussions within the executive branch on available international cooperation mechanisms.

Castro said that based on statements from Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro, assistance from UNCAC may be sought due to its international cooperation framework, although such efforts would still depend on the cooperation of other countries. She added that member states are obligated to provide possible mutual legal assistance to one another, when appropriate and in accordance with domestic laws.

“Gayunpaman, dapat munang tipunin ang Presidential UNCAC Inter-Agency Committee kasama ang ES bilang pinuno habang ipinapatupad at sinusubaybayan nito ang UNCAC,’’ Castro said.

She also noted that on the part of the Department of Justice, there is still no active coordination with the United Nations regarding the matter, while the Department of the Interior and Local Government has already forwarded the case to the Commission for Transnational Crimes.

Castro confirmed that she has already spoken with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government regarding the government’s possible next steps.