The Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to file criminal charges against former congressman Zaldy Co and several others over alleged irregularities in a flood control project in Oriental Mindoro, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said Tuesday.
Criminal information has been filed in the Sandiganbayan against Co, officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways in Region 4-B, and members of Sunwest Corp.’s board of directors as private respondents. The charges include malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents, violation of Section 3E of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and co-violation of Section 3H of RA 3019.
The complaint was filed by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure on September 29, 2025, in connection with the road dike project at the Mag-asawang Tubig River in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.
Clavano emphasized, “The Office of the Ombudsman assures the Filipino people that we will pursue this case firmly, independently and without fear or favor.”
He added, “Public funds were meant to protect communities from flooding, not to enrich officials or private contractors. Those responsible will be held into account… This is the first of many cases that will be filed in court. There are several cases in the preliminary investigation stage and many more in the fact-finding stage.”