The lawyer of resigned Ako Bicol Party-List congressman Zaldy Co said on Wednesday, Nov. 5, that the former legislator fears for his life and does not intend to file a counter-affidavit in response to the allegations against him.
According to legal counsel Ruy Rondain, Co is unwilling to return to the Philippines due to “credible and serious threats” to his safety.
“Unfortunately, there are credible and serious threats to his life,” said Co Rondain, during a press briefing.
“He is really afraid to come out at this time,” said Rondain during a press briefing.
The lawyer disclosed that the he last spoke with Co on Tuesday night, Nov. 4. However, he admitted he does not know Co’s current whereabouts.
“We’ll see him as soon as the fear of violence against him abates,” Rondain said.
He lamented that based on social media and news reports, “one half of the country wants to throw him in jail and throw away the key,” while “the other half wants to string him up to the nearest tree.”
“Ako, personally, ang bigger fear ko is vigilante violence because everyone hates him,” Rondain added.
During the meeting with journalists, Rondain also expressed concern that “the Ombudsman has already prejudged this case.”
The Office of the Ombudsman recently ordered Co to file a counter-affidavit in connection with allegations linking him to anomalous government flood control projects.
Rondain noted that Ombudsman Boying Remulla had already announced his intent to file cases by Nov. 25.
“Assuming Mr. Co is served today, that doesn’t give them a lot of time for him to answer, for the Ombudsman to review and to write a resolution,” Rondain said.
“Regardless, at this time, the way things are going, Co does not intend to file a counter-affidavit,” he emphasized.
Rondain also denied claims that Co received kickbacks from any flood control projects, as alleged by the former lawmaker’s supposed aide, Orly Guteza, during Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings.
“The first time I heard that name was at the Senate hearing,” Rondain said, adding that he only knows of two aides who worked for Co. (Jeffrey Damicog)
