Just a day after the case of former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co reached the Sandiganbayan, the Office of the Ombudsman continued to work on the matter.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said he is satisfied with the pace at which his office filed the first of many cases related to the flood control corruption scandal.

As for the next steps, Remulla said the Ombudsman is already looking into the names mentioned by Co in the video statements he released on his official Facebook page.

According to Remulla, “once the alarm bell set-off,” the office immediately began studying the names under its motu proprio authority — even without Co’s sworn statement — which will become necessary once the case proceeds to preliminary investigation.

“Of course, when it becomes a PI, when it enters preliminary investigation, that's it. It should be sworn statements already. Because you have to swear by the truth of all your statements,” Remulla explained.

He added that the office will also examine the alleged involvement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., despite believing the accusations were “illogical” in the first place.

Remulla said it makes no logical sense for the President to manipulate insertions in the budget that he himself prepared before it was transmitted to Congress.

“It's illogical because it's the President's budget. They prepared it prior to giving it to Congress. Why would you now do something like that?,” he said.

Meanwhile, three undersecretaries are under scrutiny for alleged conspiracy in money laundering and could face plunder: former DepEd Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, and Palace Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin.

“They don't have a right to that money. It's money meant for public works, meant to be paid to contractors for work done,” Remulla said.

Regarding former Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman — who left her post “out of delicadeza” — Remulla said the Ombudsman will review DBM financial records to determine whether she has any liability.

“We will just send people to look over the books, to find out the veracity of the information, and to see the process. Because that, when you attribute responsibility to somebody, you have to know the process first,” he said.

“We will study the budgetary process and the process of DBM to know if she has an offense or responsibility in this,” he added.

On Wednesday, the Sandiganbayan conducted a special raffle on the case involving Co, DPWH Region IV-B officials, and Sunwest Corporation over the alleged anomalous P289-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

The Seventh Division, chaired by Associate Justice Lorifel Lacap Pahimna, will handle the graft charges against Co alone.
The Fifth Division, chaired by Associate Justice Zaldy Trespeses, will handle the other graft cases against Co and his co-accused.
The Sixth Division, chaired by Associate Justice Kevin Narce Vivero, is in charge of the malversation case.

As the case progresses, Remulla said the “world of Zaldy Co is getting smaller.” He dismissed the former lawmaker’s fear of returning to the Philippines due to alleged death threats.

“Kalokohan yun. He can buy the best security needed,” Remulla said.

He added that authorities will guarantee Co’s safety if he returns to face the charges.

“I think if you have to give credit to the President, he has not espoused any form of violence whatsoever. He has espoused human rights,” Remulla said.

“We do not want anybody to be gone. Of course, the blame will be painted on us if something happens, right?,” he added.

Remulla also disclosed that three cases involving Curlee and Sarah Discaya may be next in line as three of nine cases connected to them have already been submitted for resolution.