.jpeg)
Place de la Concorde in Paris, France. ABS-CBN News file
MANILA (UPDATED) — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Monday that he will go to France to speak to authorities there, saying the Philippines does not want the Western European country to be a "hiding place" for officials facing graft allegations at home.
Former congressman Zaldy Co, who faces a graft case and is believed to be a central figure in corruption in flood-control projects, is believed to be in Paris.
"We will talk to the justice ministry and we will talk to other authorities there," Remulla said.
He said he will tell French authorities that "it's not good to have the reputation of being a hiding place for ill-gotten wealth."
Remulla said he believes the French public would not want their country to have that kind of reputation.
"Nandoon si Zaldy Co sa France. Nandoon din si Loren Legarda (Zaldy Co is in France. Loren Legarda is also there)," he said at a press conference.
The Office of the Ombudsman is investigating Sen. Loren Legarda — on medical leave abroad from the Senate — and her son Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste over solar power projects linked to a company the young congressman used to own.
What is the Schengen area where Zaldy Co is believed to be hiding?
Remulla made the remarks after his office filed a plunder case against Co, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and others over alleged corruption in flood-control projects.
The case has been assigned to the Sandiganbayan's Third Division.
ROMUALDEZ IN PH
Remulla said that while Co is abroad, Romualdez is in the Philippines as far as authorities know.
He said the Leyte congressman tried to leave for a medical checkup abroad but was barred from leaving.
He said authorities' only recourse used to be to wait for courts to issue Hold-Departure Orders.
But he said people who join government have "restrictions on their right to travel" because they are required to secure travel authorities to leave country, even for personal trips.
"Kaya kapag may kaso, puwede namin awatin talaga ang pag-alis niyan."
(If they are facing cases here, we really can keep them from leaving.)