The first corruption case to emerge from the government’s sweeping investigation into anomalous flood control projects is now bound for the Sandiganbayan, and it could put an ousted party-list leader squarely in the crosshairs.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed Tuesday that the case involving former Ako Bicol Representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co is the first complaint endorsed by the Office of the Ombudsman for possible prosecution before the anti-graft court.

The case stems from a P289.5-million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, awarded to Sunwest Construction and Development Corp., a company reportedly linked to Co.

“In our view, the case against Elizaldy Co, officials of DPWH Region IV-B, and those who comprise Sunwest Construction will be filed first,” Remulla said in Filipino.

More than 10 individuals, including DPWH regional officials and Sunwest executives, are expected to be named respondents in the malversation of public funds case.

The case, submitted by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) last September, is part of a wider investigation into alleged irregularities in public works projects nationwide worth billions of pesos.

Remulla said that once the Sandiganbayan formally dockets the case, it could trigger the process to cancel Co’s passport. “That is likely where the passport cancellation will start, because once it is filed with the Sandiganbayan, you will need a court order to cancel it,” he said.

The Ombudsman clarified, however, that Co’s situation is different from that of former Negros Oriental Congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr., who left the country without proper documentation.

Co, he said, is known to be traveling abroad legally, reportedly in Spain and Portugal, which makes a “red notice” or international arrest alert more complicated to issue.

Remulla said the strongest evidence against Co is his signature appearing on the questioned project documents. He dismissed the argument that Co had already divested from Sunwest, saying this does not erase a possible conflict of interest.

Not prejudged

“It’s easy to make that excuse, but if it (Sunwest) still belongs to them — if it went to their child or sibling — there remains a prohibited interest,” he said.

Remulla also rebuffed accusations by Co’s lawyer that the case has been “prejudged.”

“I am not a judge. We are not judges here,” the Ombudsman said. “Our job is to investigate graft and corruption. That’s what we are mandated to do. Pre-judging is the wrong term because our responsibility is to prosecute, not to pass judgment.”

Vice President Sara Duterte, meanwhile, lashed out at the Independent Commission for Infrastructure — the body whose findings led to the Ombudsman’s case buildup — calling it a political tool designed to control the narrative on corruption.

In an interview in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental, Duterte claimed the ICI was “created to control the story” rather than to seek genuine accountability.