Ombudsman unmoved by bid to block probe vs Zaldy Co

An official of the Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday said it will not be swayed by alleged efforts to impede its investigation into former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co in connection with his alleged role in a floodgate project.

The statement was issued by the Ombudsman amid reports that Co filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking a temporary restraining order against the Ombudsman’s resolution ordering his indictment.

“The Office of the Ombudsman will not be distracted by dilatory tactics meant to derail the in-depth investigation into his illegal and corrupt acts. We will stay focused,” Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said in response to a query on Thursday.

Clavano issued the statement in response to reports that Co allegedly asked the high court to order the Ombudsman to halt the prosecution of his cases before the Sandiganbayan.

The resigned party-list lawmaker, who remains at large, is facing an arrest warrant before the anti-graft court for malversation and graft charges filed by the Ombudsman over a road dike project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

Co’s nine co-accused from the Department of Public Works and Highways–Mimaropa earlier entered not guilty pleas to both charges.