Sandiganbayan orders archiving of graft case vs Zaldy Co

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan Seventh Division has ordered the archiving of graft case issued against former lawmaker Zaldy Co as he remained at large for over six months already.

The decision was based on minutes of proceedings held last June 24, with the document shared to the media on Thursday.

The seventh division noted that Co is still at large for more than six months since the arrest warrant was issued against him in November 2025 in connection with anomalous flood control projects.

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“In view thereof and considering that the Court has yet to acquire jurisdiction over the person of accused Co, let this case be ARCHIVED and the record thereof be forwarded to Judgment and Records Section, without prejudice to the reinstatement or revival of the case and its withdrawal from the archives upon the such time as the Court acquires jurisdiction over his person,” the division noted.

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READ: Warrant of arrest vs Zaldy Co, 17 others issued – Marcos

Archiving will only pause proceedings on the case, as the fugitive has not been located for over six months since the arrest warrant was issued.

The division also cited the subsequent Return on the Warrant submitted by National Bureau of Investigation Agent-on-Case Rehom Pimentel “stating that despite efforts undertaken, the accused could not be located at the address indicated in the Warrant of Arrest.”

READ: Timeline: Zaldy Co case (What went before)

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The division added that the prosecution manifested that it has no additional details to provide to the Court on Co’s address, other than those already stated in records.

Last April, the Palace said that Co is seeking asylum in France for “political persecution.” /cb

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