MANILA – Fugitive former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co, implicated in the flood control scandal, was in Stockholm, Sweden this January, according to documents submitted through his lawyers to the Supreme Court (SC).

In a petition for certiorari, an apostille dated Jan. 15 shows that Co appeared before Stockholm County Administrative Board notary public Beatrice Gustafsson. The notarization confirmed that Co signed the petition “of their own free will” and was conducted in accordance with Swedish regulations.

A separate Verification and Certification Against Forum Shopping, also dated Jan. 15, was signed by Co in Stockholm, stating that he “caused the preparation and filing of the foregoing petition.”

In the petition, Co asked the Supreme Court to declare as void the Nov. 14 resolution of Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, which found probable cause to file charges against him in connection with an allegedly anomalous P289-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. He also sought the dismissal of subsequent charges filed before the Sandiganbayan.

Co, who remains at large under an active arrest warrant, claimed that the interim report by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure—used as the basis for the Ombudsman’s resolution—did not recommend his indictment for graft and malversation. He further alleged that Remulla ignored standard procedures, pre-judged him, and conducted the investigation with “undue haste” while refusing to provide copies of case records to him and his lawyers.

The Supreme Court will deliberate on whether Co’s petition falls under the rule prohibiting fugitives from seeking judicial relief.

Following reports of Co’s presence in Sweden, Malacañang expressed confidence that fugitives hiding abroad will be brought back. Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remains patient with the ongoing manhunt, noting that law enforcement agencies are tracking those evading the law.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the government is taking steps to restrict Co’s movements in Europe by seeking to cancel his foreign passport. Coordination with the Swedish government is also underway.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman said it will not be distracted by what it described as Co’s “dilatory tactics,” after the fugitive filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking a temporary restraining order and/or writ of preliminary injunction to halt his prosecution at the Sandiganbayan.