Ombudsman files new corruption cases vs fugitive Zaldy Co

CO. Then Ako Bikol representative Zaldy Co during the bicameral deliberation of the 2025 national budget on December 11, 2024.

Zaldy Co/Facebook

Co's new cases stem from the allegedly anomalous P77-million flood control project in Balagtas, Bulacan

AT A GLANCE

• The Office of the Ombudsman has filed new malversation and graft cases against former Ako Bicol representative Zaldy Co and several DPWH officials related to a P77-million flood control project in Bulacan.
• The Ombudsman found probable cause for charges of malversation of public funds and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
• Investigations revealed that a flood control structure claimed to be completed was non-existent, indicating a conspiracy among the accused to misappropriate funds through fraudulent documentation.

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MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman had filed a new set of malversation and graft cases with the Sandiganbayan against fugitive former Ako Bicol representative Zaldy Co and several Department of Public Works and Highways officials, the investigative body announced on Friday, August 28.

This time, the cases stemmed from the allegedly anomalous P77-million flood control project in Balagtas, Bulacan.

According to the Ombudsman, it found probable cause to charge the following with one count each of malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents, and of alleged violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 or Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act:

• Co
• Brice Hernandez

• Arjay Domasig

• Jaypee Mendoza

• Niño Morales

• Juanito Mendoza

• Floralyn Simbulan 

• Christina Mae Pineda

• John Paul Estrada

• Mark Tecsay


While graft is bailable, malversation could be non-bailable, depending on the nature of the case. The Ombudsman, meanwhile, dismissed the Section 3(b) of RA No. 3019 complaint against Co, Alcantara, Estrada, and Tecsay.

Co remains a fugitive and has been out of the country since 2025. He is already facing a separate set of graft and malversation cases before the Sandiganbayan since last year due to a P289-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

The former lawmaker’s new cases involve a riverbank protection along Balagtas River, Barangay San Juan, Balagtas, Bulacan. The project was awarded to SYMS Construction.

Despite certifications, however, that the project had been accomplished, inspection showed that the flood control structure does not exist.

“The project supposedly started last February 24, 2025, and was declared to be 100% accomplished on May 2, 2025. However, upon inspection, it was non-existent,” the Ombudsman said.

“The repeated approvals of the payments to SYMS, in spite of the glaring irregularities in the Monthly Certificates of Payment (MCPs) and Statements of Work Accomplished (SWAs), are strong indication of their participation in the devious schemes of misappropriating the funds for flood control projects,” it added.

Apart from these, the Ombudsman also noted a conspiracy among the accused.

“In exchange for the kickbacks collected by Alcantara from contractors and delivered in advance to Co, the latter ensured that the project will be inserted in the NEP and eventually funded in the General Appropriations Act (GAA). Co’s participation was therefore necessary or indispensable in this elaborate scheme of embezzling funds intended for flood control projects,” the Ombudsman resolution stated.

“The modus did not end after the delivery of the advance payment to Co. The project was eventually awarded to SYMS, which was owned by Santos. However, and which is apparent in the scheme used by the respondents, there was no intention to actually complete the project,” it added, referring to state witness and SYMS contractor Sally Santos. – Rappler.com