Former Ako Bicol party-list representative Elizaldy Co is now a “fugitive from justice” after being declared such by the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division, which consequently ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to immediately cancel his Philippine passport.
“It is the court’s view that the deliberate refusal to submit to the lawful authority of the court, unless his demands are met, confirms his clear intent to remain outside the jurisdiction of the court,” the anti-graft court stated in an eight-page resolution dated December 10.
“It must be emphasized that the accused left the country at the time investigations into alleged corruption in flood control projects were active and when formal charges against him were imminent. His strategically timed flight, therefore, provides sufficient ground for the reasonable inference that his action constituted a deliberate attempt to flee from justice,” it added.
The anti-graft court, chaired by Associate Justice Zaldy Trespeses, likewise declared three members of the board of directors of Sunwest Inc. as fugitives from justice.
They were identified as Aderma Alcazar, Cesar Buenaventura, and Noel Co, whose passports were also ordered to be cancelled.
As this developed, Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson Polo Martinez said that the government has yet to request a Red Notice for resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co.
“The request for Red Notice will follow suit to be filed by the Philippine Center for Transnational Crime (PCTC). We can expect continued efforts by the government as well, through the DFA, to communicate with the different embassies in the countries where he is speculated to be located,” Martinez told Manila Standard.
“Make no mistake that although he is outside our country and we are limited by our jurisdictional capacity, the DOJ is doing everything it can in its power to make sure he is brought back here to face the charges against him,” he added.
The DFA quickly responded to the Sandiganbayan’s order upon receiving it on Wednesday, which also coincided with a similar directive issued by President Marcos.
“According to the resolution of the Sandiganbayan today, the 10th of December 2025, and the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Department of Foreign Affairs has cancelled the passport of former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Elizaldy Salcedo Co. This cancellation process was done by the Department today, the 10th of December 2025, at 5:00 PM this afternoon,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro told reporters in Filipino during an online briefing.
Meanwhile, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon shared that Co has until tomorrow to submit his counter-affidavit in relation to two Bulacan flood control projects.
The DOJ official noted that the case will be submitted for resolution in the event of Co’s failure to submit a response in his defense.
