From Inquirer

By Rhianna Ramos

On Friday, November 21, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered law enforcement agencies to arrest former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co and 17 others linked to alleged irregularities in flood-control projects, following the issuance of arrest warrants by the Sandiganbayan. 

The warrants issued against Co and 17 co-accused included officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the MIMAROPA region and directors of Sunwest Corporation.

However, Co is the only defendant named in all three cases, while the others face one count each of graft and malversation connected to a P289-million substandard flood-control project in Oriental Mindoro.

The DPWH officials include Gene Ryan Altea, Ruben D.S. Santos, Dominic Serrano, Montrexis Tamayo, Juliet Calvo, Dennis Abagon, and Lerma Cayco.

Sunwest directors Aderman Alcazar, Cesar Buenaventura, Consuelo Aldon, Engr. Noel Yap Cao, and Anthony Ngo are also named and have been placed on hold-departure status.

As of present time, Co is reportedly abroad, and authorities said they will present any arrested individuals before the court for formal charges.

In a video message, Marcos stressed, “There will be no special treatment. I started all of these, and I will be the one to finish. Expect that we will be relentless even if it takes some time.”

He then urged law enforcement agencies to act immediately, saying, “Siguraduhin maisagawa ito nang mabilis at tama. Gumugulong na ang hustisya.” 

Leading up to the arrest

Earlier on the same day, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the DPWH recommended to the Office of the Ombudsman that plunder, graft, and bribery charges be filed against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Co over alleged anomalies in flood-control projects.

In a video message released through the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Marcos said that he had ordered the ICI and DPWH to hand over all the evidence gathered during their three-month investigation to the Ombudsman.

Marcos added that once all the information is reviewed, the Ombudsman may pursue “plunder, anti-graft or indirect bribery” cases. 

According to the agencies’ joint referral, the irregularities involved flood-control contracts settled between 2016 and 2025 to Sunwest Inc. and Hi-Tone Construction, both companies linked to Co.

Adding to this, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the agencies examined over P100 billion worth of contracts from the two firms.

The findings rely heavily on documentary records and sworn testimony from retired Sgt. Orly Guteza, who claimed during Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings that he delivered suitcases of cash to Romualdez and Co.

The possible violations listed in the recommendation include: 

• Plunder under Republic Act 7080;
• Violations of sections in the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; and
• Direct bribery under Article 210 of the Revised Penal Code. 

Dizon also noted that while Romualdez was Speaker, Co chaired the House Committee on Appropriations — a factual institutional link that could have influenced and facilitated over budget insertions.

Facing the allegations, Romualdez asserted, “My conscience remains clear … no sort of credible evidence ever linked me to any irregularity,” according to a statement read by his lawyer.