MANILA, Philippines — Resigned Ako Bicol Party-list representative Elizaldy Co has sent feelers to the Office of the Ombudsman seeking a possible “dialogue,” Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla revealed on Wednesday.
Remulla said Co reached out allegedly through priests known to him, who in turn sought to establish contact with Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, older brother of the DILG chief.
“He sent feelers through some of the priests he knew. They asked to connect with us to have a dialogue — not through me, through the Ombudsman,” the interior secretary said in an interview.
However, Remulla stressed that the information had not been independently confirmed and remained informal in nature.
“Of course, that’s not verified. They’ve just reached out. A friend of a friend reached out,” he added.
Co’s reported attempt to initiate communication comes as authorities continue efforts to locate and bring him back to the Philippines. Remulla said.
Co’s last known location was in Portugal, and the government was exploring diplomatic options, including possible coordination with Portuguese authorities, for his deportation.
The former lawmaker, who once headed the appropriations committee of the House of Representatives, is facing graft and malversation charges before the Sandiganbayan in connection with an allegedly anomalous P96.5-million road dike project in Oriental Mindoro.