Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday said justice will eventually catch up with former representative Zaldy Co, regardless of where he is in the world, through Civil Asset Forfeiture.

In an interview, Remulla said the government has established the web of assets linked to Co, adding that the Ombudsman has identified these connections through the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
“The legal theory that is going to be applied to Co and others is that there will be Civil Forfeiture of all their assets…All their assets here, and assets there,” he declared.

Republic Act No. 1379, or the Forfeiture Law, is an act declaring forfeiture in favor of the state of any property found to have been unlawfully acquired by any public officer or employee.

Co has gone into hiding following President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s expose of companies allegedly involved in the ghost flood control projects in various parts of the country.

Remulla said motions for the conduct of asset forfeiture are currently being prepared. Among the properties identified for possible seizure are Co’s two houses in Forbes Park in Makati City. Other assets that could be subject to forfeiture are the Midas Hotel and Casino, owned through his company Eco Leisure, as well as the Misibis Bay Resort.

According to the DILG Chief, Co’s arrest has been complicated by reports that he is said to be hiding in Portugal while holding a Portuguese passport.

Remulla stressed, however, that authorities remain vigilant and ready to act should Co slip up. “It is a game of cat and mouse. They make a mistake, we pounce on them.”