(L-R) Ex-Rep. ‘Zaldy’ Co, Sen. ‘Loren’ Legarda and Cong. ‘Lean’ Leviste.
With Christmas just around the corner, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla derided fugitive solons who continue to elude acvountability in facing investigations into alleged corruption complaints, wishing them “good luck.”
Remulla skipped his France trip amidst protests focused on the quest to hold those officials involved in the plunder of public coffers responsible for presumed misdeed of plunder.
In a press conference, Remulla announced the cancellation of his trip to Paris, which was set to seek out fugitive former Ako Bicol representative Elizaldy ‘Zaldy’ Co and mother-son lawmakers Senator Lorna Regina ‘Loren’ Legarda and Batangas District I congressman Leandro ‘Lean’ Legarda Leviste who are being investigated for plunder.
“I actually canceled my trip to France. I was supposed to leave on November 17 but we canceled it because there is a nationwide march,” the former justice secretary disclosed.
“It:s a very special time for them. I don’t think you want to be caught in the middle of it. For those who are hiding there, good luck to them . . . Those who are hiding–Zaldy Co, Loren Legarda, and his son, Leandro Leviste,” he added.
Co faces graft and malversation charges over his alleged role in a ₱299.4 million irregular flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, during his chairmanship of the House Committee on Appropriations.
Based on reports, the ex-solon is believed to be staying in France after Czech authorities accosted him at the border of Germany and the Czech Republic for incomplete travel documents. Authorities say Co has sought asylum in France.
In the meantime, the Legardas reportedly left for Hong Kong last August 2 before heading also to France, shortly after the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) announced that both were being investigated for alleged ghost solar projects worth ₱10.4 billion in government funding.
