The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division in Manila, Philippines, on Jan. 8, denied for lack of merit the motion for reconsideration filed for former lawmaker Elizaldy Co, who faces a graft case over a road dike construction project in Oriental Mindoro, and upheld its earlier resolution that declared him a fugitive from justice.
The nine-page resolution stated that accused Co, as a fugitive from justice, lacks standing to seek affirmative relief from the anti-graft court.
The Office of the Ombudsman filed the graft case against Co and several other individuals in November 2025.
The Sandiganbayan raffled the case to its Fifth Division following the filing of the charges.
The court maintained its ruling after reviewing the arguments raised in the motion for reconsideration.
The resolution affirmed that the fugitive status of Co remains in effect pending further proceedings in the graft case.
