Zaldy Co’s co-accused stresses ‘voluntary surrender’ in court

MANILA, Philippines — The defense and prosecution on Tuesday both agreed that the co-accused of former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co presented herself to the police before the issuance of a warrant of arrest.

The camp of former public works engineer Juliet Calvo made the offer for stipulation during Sandiganbayan’s Sixth Division trial of her and co-accused’s non-bailable malversation of public funds case over an anomalous Oriental Mindoro project.

Calvo’s counsel Edwin Labro Jr. offered for stipulation her “voluntary surrender” to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Nov. 5, 2025.

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READ: Ombudsman files 1st batch of raps vs Zaldy Co, others before Sandigan

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Under Article 13, Paragraph 7 of the Revised Penal Code, an offender’s voluntary surrender before authorities could be considered as one of mitigating circumstances.

Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez, Sixth Division chairperson, asked the counsel to specify the manner in which she surrendered.

Labro noted that Calvo presented herself to the officers of CIDG Metro Manila “to turn herself in and allow herself to be taken into custody.”

Calvo’s lawyer also offered for stipulation the certification from CIDG Metro Manila regional director Col. John Guiagui stating that Calvo voluntarily surrendered in anticipation of a warrant of arrest.

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State prosecutor Madonna Lyn Casares said the prosecution stipulated the authenticity of the CIDG certification, and that Calvo presented herself without a police escort.

With the stipulation, Labro said they will withdraw the motion for the subpoena for Guiagui to testify.

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“How wonderful, that makes our proceedings more efficient,” said Sixth Division Member Associate Justice Lord Villanueva.

The non-bailable malversation of funds through falsification of public documents stemmed from a P289.4 million worth Sunwest project — or the company where Co is said to be a beneficial owner — which state prosecutors said was found to have serious structural deficiencies.

For his part, Co could not participate in the trial as he was earlier declared by Sandiganbayan as a fugitive from justice.

A respondent declared as a fugitive from justice could no longer participate in the proceedings and could not seek any judicial relief unless they  surrender voluntarily.

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Sunwest is co-founded by Co, who also used to be the chairperson of the powerful House committee on appropriations before his resignation as a party-list representative in September last year amid the widespread public outrage on the multibillion flood control corruption scandal. /das