MANILA — Former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co must return to the Philippines and personally appear at the House of Representatives if he truly intends to testify in the impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

This was stated by House Committee on Justice chairperson and Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro during the Saturday News Forum, after former Rep. Mike Defensor earlier claimed that Co was willing to testify in the impeachment bid.

The Committee on Justice is the panel responsible for conducting hearings on a referred impeachment complaint to determine whether or not it is sufficient in form and substance—a requirement before the complaint can proceed to a full investigation or trial by the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.

Co, former chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, is facing a warrant of arrest from the Sandiganbayan for cases of malversation and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act in connection with discovered substandard projects in Oriental Mindoro, as well as alleged billions of pesos in budget insertions and kickbacks.

He has evaded arrest and has reportedly been hiding abroad. He was last reported to be in Portugal.

In a Facebook video post last November, Co accused President Marcos of ordering ₱100 billion worth of project insertions in the ₱6.326-trillion national budget for 2025.

Defensor, along with a group of administration critics that include former Rep. Jacinto Paras and lawyers Ferdinand Topacio and Manuelito delos Reyes Luna, is seeking to impeach Marcos based on allegations of culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.

Defensor said Co was willing to testify against the president.

Luistro said the House’s proceedings are governed by specific rules, and Co would have to appear in person, as the committee’s rules do not allow testimony via teleconference.

“For as long as he is willing to appear and to take his oath. Kung itong mga intended witness is willing to come before the Justice Committee and take their oath, of course, they can testify,” she said, adding that all evidence supporting an impeachment complaint must be presented under oath before the committee.

She clarified that this requirement applies not only to impeachment proceedings but to investigations in general, where witnesses are required to testify under oath.

She said, however, “Ang magiging issue na nga lang dyan, because he is a fugitive and he is facing the possibility of being arrested, will he be willing to compromise that possibility of being arrested to be able to appear before any investigative body?”

Co cannot testify via videoconferencing or other digital means, nor can he take his oath at a Philippine embassy abroad, as such arrangements are not allowed under the rules of the Committee on Justice, Luistro further said.

She noted, however, that she could not say at the moment whether Co’s status as a fugitive would automatically disqualify him as a witness.

📷 Saturday News Forum