A captured fugitive, thousands of miles away, has set the stage for a high-stakes Senate confrontation over a multibillion-peso flood-control scandal.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson said the Blue Ribbon Committee will summon former lawmaker Zaldy Co to testify following his arrest in the Czech Republic after months on the run.
Lacson, who chairs the panel, said he intends to pit Co against key witnesses in a “face-to-face” hearing to test conflicting claims surrounding alleged cash kickbacks tied to flood control projects.
“I plan to have him attend the hearing along with the ex-soldiers so we will find out who is truthful, who is telling half-truths, and who is lying,” Lacson said.
The committee will also seek to recall former Marine Orly Guteza, who has not been seen since testifying that he delivered suitcases of cash to Co and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
At the center of the probe are allegations from 18 former soldiers, including 16 ex-Marines, who claimed they transported P805 billion in cash to high-ranking officials.
Lacson earlier questioned the feasibility of the claims, describing the operation as a “logistical nightmare” that would require about 805 metric tons of cash and more than 13,000 suitcases.
The senator said the panel would verify Co’s statements alongside the testimonies of the former soldiers, noting that their accounts could be “interconnected.”
While the Senate cannot summon President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. due to the separation of powers, Lacson said the panel may invite Romualdez through the Office of the Speaker as a matter of “inter-parliamentary courtesy.”
The inquiry will also examine Co’s social media claims that former officials, including Presidential Legislative Liaison Office undersecretary Adrian Bersamin and former budget secretary Amenah Pangandaman, “inserted” P100 billion into the 2025 budget.
Lacson stressed that such claims must be made under oath before the Senate can act on them.
“If Co testifies before the committee and mentions them, we have a basis to invite them,” Lacson said.
Lacson noted that state witness and former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo gave a different account, saying the alleged P100 billion “insertions” were part of a kickback scheme involving a syndicate within the Department of Public Works and Highways, not the President as Co claimed.
The former congressman’s possible appearance before the Senate hinges on legal and procedural steps.
Co remains under custody abroad, and once returned to the Philippines, the Senate must secure court approval to bring him to the hearings as he faces a malversation case before the Sandiganbayan.
Authorities said Co may be deported to the Philippines within one to three weeks, depending on coordination between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Czech officials.
Marcos said the government continues to coordinate with Czech authorities to secure Co’s return.
“Our coordination with Czech authorities continues,” Marcos said, adding that Co was stopped at the German border and returned to Czech custody after being denied entry.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Co will undergo a physical examination at Camp Crame upon arrival before being presented to the Sandiganbayan, which will determine his place of detention.
The Philippine National Police has also expressed readiness to take custody of the former lawmaker.
The National Bureau of Investigation said it is coordinating with the Department of Justice and DFA, which are expected to lead the process of bringing Co back to the country.
Meanwhile, Lacson said he will resume hearings only after securing enough support from fellow senators to advance a partial committee report.
At least nine signatures are needed, with six already secured.
The report is expected to recommend a preliminary investigation into a syndicate involving former and incumbent lawmakers, their alleged “bagmen,” and officials from the DPWH.
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