As the ex-lawmaker faces arrest warrant over gje flood control corruption case.
In a video message on Monday, November 24, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gave an update regarding the developments on the graft case filed against 16 individuals before the Sandiganbayan regarding the flood control case.
The President said that seven persons have been arrested out of the personalities who were issued warrants and are now in the custody of authorities.
One was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), while six surrendered to the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).
He also said that the arrested individuals will not receive special treatment and will remain in the custody of the NBI pending the next court order.
In addition, two other accused have reportedly indicated they will turn themselves in to authorities.
The President then urged the rest of the accused to surrender while he warned that those who might harbor the accused will also be charged.
“‘Yung isa pong nahuli ng NBI natagpuan hindi sa kanyang sariling tahanan, kaya’t mananagot din ‘yung mga nagtatago sa kanila,” said the Chief Executive.
He also warned, “Sa mga nagtatangkang tumulong sa pagtatago, tandaan ninyo na kahit papaano mananagot din kayo kung kayo ay nagtatago ng isang fugitive from justice.”
The President then urged the other individuals facing arrest warrants, including resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, to surrender to authorities in order to properly face the charges against them.
“Muli, sa tatlong warrant at labing-anim na pangalan, pito na ang hawak ng ating awtoridad, dalawa susuko na. Pito ang mananatiling at large at kasama na diyan si Zaldy Co,” President Marcos said.
PBBM furthered, “Sa lahat ng natitirang akusado, ang aking payo sa inyo ay sumuko na kayo. Huwag niyo nang antayin na habul-habulin pa kayo.Mas maganda para sa sitwasyon ninyo na sumuko na kayo para maganda ang inyong pagsagot sa mga alegasyon na dinala kontra sa inyo.”
COME HOME, ZALDY
Meanwhile, Marcos also directly addressed Co, who recently implicated him in the scandal through a series of videos, all of which the chief executive denied.
“Kung mayroon siyang gustong sabihin, sabihin niya. Malalaman naman ng tao ‘yan eh. Patunayan niya. But come home, come home,” PBBM said during a press conference in Malacañang.
“Ba’t ka nagtatago sa malayo? Ako hindi ako nagtatago eh. Kung mayroon kang akusasyon sa akin, nandito ako. Gawin niyang pareho. At para patas lang naman,” the President continued.
He then said that Co’s statements mean “nothing” as he continues to remain in hiding. “Well, look at the quality of his statements. Mahaba na ang naging mga usapan natin tungkol sa fake news. Anyone can go online and make all kinds of claims and say all kinds of things, paulit-ulit,” said the President.
Marcos added, “But this – it means nothing. For it to mean something, umuwi siya rito. Harapin niya ‘yung mga kaso niya.”
The Office of the Ombudsman filed graft and malversation charges against Co and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Sunwest Corporation before the Sandiganbayan over a major anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.
These are based on the evidence gathered by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the DPWH itself.