House justice chair: Zaldy Co must return to Phl to testify

House Committee on Justice Chairperson Gerville Luistro on Saturday said former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co must return to the Philippines if he intends to testify in connection with an impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Luistro made the statement after former congressman Mike Defensor claimed on Friday that Co was willing to testify, although Co has yet to personally confirm this.

In a Saturday news forum, Luistro said that while “everybody's right to testify” is recognized, proceedings before the House Committee on Justice are governed by specific rules.

“For as long as he is willing to appear and to take his oath. Kung itong mga intended witness is willing to come before the Justice Committee and take their oath, of course, they can testify,” Luistro said.

She stressed that all evidence supporting an impeachment complaint must be presented under oath before the committee.

Luistro said Co would have to appear in person, noting that the committee’s rules do not allow testimony via teleconference.

She added that this requirement applies not only to impeachment proceedings but to investigations in general, where witnesses are required to testify under oath.

Defensor, along with former congressman Jacinto Paras and lawyers Ferdinand Topacio and Manuelito delos Reyes Luna, has accused the President of alleged culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.

Co, meanwhile, is facing an arrest warrant in connection with the construction of an allegedly anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. He is reportedly in Portugal.

Luistro said she could not say whether Co’s status as a fugitive would automatically disqualify him as a witness, but noted that “he is a fugitive and he is facing the possibility of being arrested.”

She also clarified that Co cannot testify via videoconferencing or other digital means, nor can he take his oath at a Philippine embassy abroad, as such arrangements are not allowed under the rules of the House Committee on Justice.