Malacañang announced on Friday that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will request the issuance of an Interpol blue notice against Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, who has been implicated in alleged kickbacks from questionable flood control projects and budget insertions.
“Latest from DOJ… they will request a blue notice,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters.
A blue notice, according to Interpol, is issued to collect additional information about a person’s identity, location, or activities in relation to a criminal investigation. It does not authorize arrest but serves as a tool for law enforcement cooperation among member countries.
DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano confirmed that Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla had instructed the department to apply for the notice. “This is based on the investigation of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee as well as the recommendation of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to prosecute,” Clavano said.
Rep. Co has repeatedly been mentioned during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings on the flood control scandal. Witnesses alleged that he benefited from allocations to ghost projects and substandard construction funded under the national budget.
Earlier this week, former Bulacan 1st Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez gave a sworn testimony that he personally delivered cash amounting to around ₱1 billion to a staff member of Rep. Co. Hernandez detailed that the money, packed in more than 20 suitcases, was transported using six or seven vans to a hotel in Taguig City. Each suitcase, he claimed, contained an estimated ₱50 million.
The explosive testimony has fueled calls for stronger action against the lawmaker, who has yet to issue a detailed public statement addressing the allegations. Critics say the alleged scheme highlights deep-rooted issues in the implementation of flood control projects, many of which have been flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA) in previous years.
If granted, the blue notice would allow law enforcement agencies worldwide to track Co’s movements and provide critical intelligence to aid the ongoing investigation. While it does not amount to an arrest warrant, officials believe it will be a significant step in ensuring accountability.
The Palace has assured the public that it will closely monitor the case as the DOJ pursues international cooperation to bolster its probe into the alleged multibillion-peso kickback scheme.