MANILA — Malacañang said it is open to exploring the use of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) to locate and apprehend fugitive former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co, complementing ongoing coordination with Interpol.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the proposal, raised by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, has been discussed with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Justice (DOJ), and Department of the Interior and Local Government.

“According to Foreign Affairs Secretary Lazaro, ‘Yes, we can explore UNCAC as it has international cooperation mechanisms, but it will have to depend on the country. Countries are obliged to provide, as applicable and in accord with domestic law, possible mutual legal assistance to each other,’” Castro said.

She added that the Presidential UNCAC Inter-Agency Committee, chaired by the Executive Secretary, must be convened as it “implements and monitors UNCAC.”

On the DOJ’s part, Castro said there has been no formal invocation of UNCAC, with coordination currently limited to Interpol.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, she added, confirmed that “the matter has been referred to the commission for transnational crimes” and that the option mentioned by Senator Lacson “is part of the agenda.”

Castro also clarified that delays in arresting Co were not due to intelligence issues, noting that the warrant of arrest was issued only recently. “Kailan lamang po nagkaroon ng warrant of arrest…last week, two weeks ago. But hindi po ibig sabihin nito na napakatagal na po…wala pong kinalaman ito sa intel funds,” she said.

On President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s earlier assurance that arrests would be made before Christmas in connection with alleged flood control anomalies, Castro said, “Katulad po ng pangako ng Pangulo ay mayroong maisyuhan ng warrant of arrest, may hindi magiging maganda ang Pasko dahil sa mga nasangkot sa maanomalyang flood control project.”

She urged the public to wait for updates as the DOJ and Office of the Ombudsman continue working on the cases. (PNA)