MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan Seventh Division has ordered the archiving of the graft case against former lawmaker Zaldy Co after he remained at large for more than six months following the issuance of an arrest warrant.
The order was based on the minutes of the court’s June 24 proceedings, which were released to the media on Thursday.
The anti-graft court noted that Co has remained a fugitive since the warrant for his arrest was issued in November 2025 in connection with the alleged anomalous implementation of flood control projects.
“In view thereof and considering that the Court has yet to acquire jurisdiction over the person of accused Co, let this case be ARCHIVED … without prejudice to the reinstatement or revival of the case … upon such time as the Court acquires jurisdiction over his person,” the Seventh Division said.
The archiving of the case temporarily halts court proceedings until Co is arrested and brought under the court’s jurisdiction.
The division also cited the return on the warrant submitted by National Bureau of Investigation agent Rehom Pimentel, which stated that authorities were unable to locate Co despite efforts to serve the warrant at the address indicated in court records.
The court likewise noted that prosecutors had no additional information regarding Co’s whereabouts beyond those already on record.
In April, Malacañang said Co was seeking asylum in France, claiming political persecution.