Lacson blames government for failing to secure Zaldy

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson yesterday said the government has no one to blame but itself for the release from custody of fugitive ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co.

He was reacting to news that Co, despite being apprehended for immigration violations, was released from Czech custody because of the lack of Interpol red notice for his fugitive status and his non-bailable case of malversation for flood control corruption.

“Simply put, it was a lost opportunity and our government has nobody to blame except itself,” Lacson said.

“Failing to act with dispatch after having been timely informed of ex-Cong. Zaldy Co’s apprehension by the Czech authorities now puts the government in an embarrassing situation,” he added.

He dared the high-level government coordination team to the Czech Republic to reverse the mistake and find a way to bring Co home to face his charges.

Lacson earlier said he had wanted Co to attend the resumption of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing to testify on his allegations that even administration officials benefited from flood control kickbacks.

Specifically, Lacson wanted Co to face off with former speaker Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez; former Marine turned whistleblower Orly Guteza and the other alleged soldiers who said they were ordered to deliver the kickbacks in luggages; and former public works undersecretary now state witness Roberto Bernardo, who has named Co as a key architect of the corruption scheme. — Delon Porcalla