Sandiganbayan denies bail for Zaldy Co’s co-accused

Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!

Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Visit Suniway.ph to learn

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has denied the bail of the co-accused of fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co.

In a resolution dated March 10, the anti-graft court denied bail for the co-accused former Department of Public Works and Highways officials over the malversation case involving the Mag-Asawang Tubig River in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

According to the anti-graft court, the prosecution had sufficiently discharged its burden of proving that the evidence of guilt is strong against the accused, thereby disqualifying them from temporary liberty.

The following co-accused of Co were denied bail:

• Gerald Pacanan: Former Regional Director
• Gene Ryan Altea
• Ruben Santos Jr.: District Engineer and Assistant Regional Director
• Dominic Serrano: Chief of the Construction Division
• Juliet Calvo: Chief of the Maintenance Division
• Dennis Abagon: OIC of the Quality Assurance and Hydrology Division
• Montrexis Tamayo: Officer-In-Charge/Chief of the Planning and Design Division
• Lerma Cayco: Accountant IV
• Felisardo Casuno: Project Engineer

The prosecution alleged that the accused conspired to release a total of P215,331,394.47 to Sunwest, Inc., a company owned by Co, despite the project being substandard and lacking necessary supporting documentation.

“The prosecution’s evidence shows that accused Serrano, Cayco, Pacanan, Altea, and Santos made their respective certifications and approvals in the subject disbursement vouchers. As a result, the total amount of P215 million was released to Sunwest Inc.,” the anti-graft court’s ruling read.

On March 4, the anti-graft court ordered the attachment of Co’s property to secure over P215 million in alleged civil liabilities.

RELATED: Sandiganbayan grants motion to 'hold' Zaldy Co's 16 properties

Co departed from the Philippines three months prior to the Office of the Ombudsman filing the case against him with the Sandiganbayan.

After his passport was canceled, he was also declared a fugitive by the anti-graft court in December 2025.