Remulla: Gov’t moving to seize assets of Zaldy Co

Justice will eventually catch up with former representative Zaldy Co, regardless of where he is in the world, through civil asset forfeiture, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Friday.

Remulla said the government has already established a web of assets linked to Co, noting that the Office of the Ombudsman identified these connections through the Independent Commission for Infrastructure.

“The legal theory that is going to be applied to Co and others is that there will be Civil Forfeiture of all their assets…All their assets here, and assets there,” Remulla said.

Republic Act No. 1379, or the Forfeiture Law, provides for the forfeiture in favor of the state of any property found to have been unlawfully acquired by a public officer or employee.

Co went into hiding following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s exposé of companies allegedly involved in ghost flood control projects in various parts of the country.

Remulla said motions seeking asset forfeiture are currently being prepared.

Among the properties identified for possible seizure are Co’s two houses in Forbes Park, Makati City. Other assets that could be subject to forfeiture include the Midas Hotel and Casino, owned through his company Eco Leisure, as well as the Misibis Bay Resort.

According to Remulla, Co’s arrest has been complicated by reports that he is hiding in Portugal while holding a Portuguese passport.

Despite this, Remulla said authorities remain vigilant and ready to act should Co make a misstep.

“It is a game of cat and mouse. They make a mistake, we pounce on them,” he said.