DOJ reviews plunder case vs. Zaldy Co, malversation complaint vs. Bong Revilla
IN PHOTO: Zaldy Co and Ramon Bong Revilla Jr.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) said resolutions on the plunder complaint against Zaldy Co and the malversation complaint against Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. are currently under review.
DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said the draft resolutions are being evaluated by the division chief.
“The resolutions for Zaldy Co’s plunder case and Revilla’s malversation case are currently under review with the division chief,” Martinez told reporters.
He explained that a review determines whether the draft resolution — either recommending the filing of charges or dismissal of the complaint — is legally and factually sound.
“The review will cover the handling prosecutors’ discussion of the evidence submitted, the law applied, the legal and factual conclusions derived from the evidence, and ultimately the recommendation for either filing or dismissal,” Martinez said.
Once signed by the division chief, the resolution will be forwarded to Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon for final review. If revisions are needed, it will be returned to the panel of prosecutors.
Co is facing complaints for plunder, violation of Section 3(b) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. His co-respondents include former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo and former Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara, both state witnesses in the flood control controversy.
Martinez said Co did not submit a counter-affidavit.
“The resolution will be entirely on the evidence submitted by the NBI and the other respondents,” he said.
Co left the country in 2025 for medical reasons and has not returned. The Sandiganbayan has declared him a fugitive from justice. He is also facing separate malversation and graft charges over an alleged P289-million road dike project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
Meanwhile, the complaint against Revilla also involves a flood control project. His camp has described the allegations as based on “incredible and incompetent” evidence.
Revilla filed his counter-affidavit on January 5, and the case was submitted for resolution on January 12. He is currently detained at the New Quezon City Jail.
