Public Works Sec. Dizon to testify in ex-lawmaker Co's graft trial

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon is set to take the witness stand later this month in the graft trial of former lawmaker Zaldy Co over an alleged multimillion-peso anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro, the Sandiganbayan said on Wednesday. Associate Justice Maryann Corpuz-Mañalac of the antigraft court’s Fifth Division made the announcement at the hearing on the case over the P289-million road dike project. Wednesday’s hearing heard the testimony of two cashier officers from Mimaropa regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). “As agreed upon, let the presentation of the next witness in the person of Secretary Vince Dizon proceed on Sept. 23 at 8:30 in the morning,” Corpuz-Mañalac said. She also said the next witness’ judicial affidavit has been submitted online to the court. The court issued arrest warrants in November last year against Co and his coaccused from the DPWH and Sunwest Corp. on charges stemming from alleged irregularities in the project, mainly after it was found to have structural deficiencies. The findings were made after Dizon took over as secretary following the resignation of Manuel Bonoan in September 2025. Co was included in the case for his reported ties to Sunwest, which was among the top 15 contractors awarded with most flood control projects worth P100 billion from July 2022 to May 2025. On Monday, Co became the subject of another arrest warrant issued by the Sandiganbayan for plunder in connection with over P7 billion in alleged kickbacks from various government projects from 2022 to 2025. In view of the latest warrant, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced plans to go to France to personally coordinate with Interpol regarding the search for Co, who was last reported to be seeking asylum in the European country. The Philippine National Police said it was prepared to work with French authorities to locate Co, a former Ako Bicol representative who also had chaired the powerful House committee on appropriations before he resigned in September last year. “If Mr. Co is arrested abroad, the process will follow international protocols through Interpol and diplomatic channels,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement on Wednesday. “The PNP is prepared to coordinate with French authorities through Interpol should former Congressman Zaldy Co be located abroad. We will provide full support to ensure that due process is observed and justice is pursued,” he added. The Philippine government had earlier requested a red notice to be issued against the former congressman. The alert informs law enforcement agencies worldwide to “locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.” —Dianne Sampang and Jason Sigales