The Philippine government can explore tapping a 2003 anti-corruption convention of the United Nations to locate and arrest fugitive ex-Rep. Elizaldy Co, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.
Lacson said the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), which was adopted in 2003 and ratified by the Philippine Senate in 2006, is a legally binding treaty that provides a framework for international cooperation against corruption.
“One option the Philippine government may explore is to tap the UNCAC, where we are a signatory. Imagine, 192 countries signed the convention. If we tap the resources of 191 other countries, you can imagine how our efforts to locate and arrest Co will be easier,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DWIZ radio.
In Filipino: Lacson: Maaaring Pag-aralan ng Gobyerno ang Paggamit ng UN Anti-Corruption Convention para Mahuli si Zaldy Co
The UNCAC’s Article 38 mandates cooperation between state parties in investigating and prosecuting criminal offenses.
He said the Ombudsman, Department of Justice and Department of Foreign Affairs can study this option in seeking the help of other signatories to the convention, adding this will complement the Philippines’ request to the International Police Organization (Interpol) to issue a red notice against Co, whose passport had been canceled.
Meanwhile, Lacson said the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee which he chairs can subpoena the documents recovered by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Co’s condominium unit to complete the panel’s records and help in legislation.
He also said the Blue Ribbon Committee may hold its next hearing on the flood control project mess in 2026.
IPC Bill
Lacson remains hopeful the Senate will pass before the Christmas break the bill creating an Independent People’s Commission to probe anomalous infrastructure projects.
He said the IPC will not conflict with the Ombudsman as it will focus on fact-finding and evidence-gathering – and will not have prosecutorial powers.
No Senate Demoralization
Meanwhile, Lacson maintained there is no demoralization in the Senate amid the possible arrest of some members linked to the flood control project mess.
“Our enthusiasm and desire to pass bills is still there,” he said, but added there is some sadness felt because some arrest warrants could be issued against some colleagues.
He also said that while this is a “bitter pill to swallow,” the corruption behind anomalous infrastructure projects must end.
“Filipinos get hit twice – by corruption in the series of flood control projects, and by alleged extortion of taxpayers by corrupt BIR personnel,” he said. “Corruption must stop. There are those who just don’t know when to stop.”
*****
Lacson: Maaaring Pag-aralan ng Gobyerno ang Paggamit ng UN Anti-Corruption Convention para Mahuli si Zaldy Co
Maaaring pag-aralan ng pamahalaan ang paggamit ng isang anti-corruption convention ng United Nations na pinagtibay noong 2003 upang matunton at madakip si Ex-Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, ayon kay Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Sabado.
Ani Lacson, ang United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), na inaprubahan noong 2003 at pinagtibay ng Senado ng Pilipinas noong 2006, ay isang legal at umiiral na kasunduang pandaigdig na nagbibigay ng balangkas para sa kooperasyon ng mga bansa laban sa korapsyon.
“Isa pang hindi pa explore ng national government, tayo signatory among 191 other countries in the whole world, may UN Anti-Corruption agreement among different countries. Imagine 192 countries. Kung the Philippine government will tap the resources of 191 other countries, you can just imagine gaano kalawak ang maaabot para ma-locate at mahuli si Zaldy Co,” ani Lacson sa isang panayam sa DWIZ radio.
Sa ilalim ng Article 38 ng UNCAC, inaatasan ang mga state parties na magtulungan sa pag-iimbestiga at pag-usig sa mga kasong kriminal.
Diin ni Lacson, maaaring pag-aralan ng Office of the Ombudsman, Department of Justice, at Department of Foreign Affairs ang opsyong ito upang humingi ng tulong sa ibang signatories ng kasunduan. Aniya, makadadagdag ito sa kahilingan ng Pilipinas sa International Police Organization (Interpol) na maglabas ng red notice laban kay Co, na kanselado na ang pasaporte.
Samantala, sinabi ni Lacson na maaaring ipatawag ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, na kanyang pinamumunuan, ang mga dokumentong narekober ng National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) sa condominium unit ni Co upang makumpleto ang mga rekord ng komite at makatulong sa paggawa ng batas.
Idinagdag rin niya na posibleng idaos ng Blue Ribbon Committee ang susunod na pagdinig ukol sa anomalya sa flood control projects sa 2026.
IPC Bill
Nanatiling umaasa si Lacson na maipapasa ng Senado bago ang Christmas break ang panukalang batas na lilikha ng Independent People’s Commission (IPC) na mag-iimbestiga sa mga kuwestiyonableng proyekto sa imprastraktura.
Aniya, hindi sasapawan ng IPC ang Ombudsman dahil tututok lamang ito sa fact-finding at pangangalap ng ebidensiya, at wala itong kapangyarihang mag-usig.
Walang Demoralisasyon sa Senado
Samantala, iginiit ni Lacson na walang demoralisasyon sa Senado sa kabila ng posibleng pag-aresto sa ilang mambabatas na inuugnay sa anomalya sa flood control projects.
“Nandoon pa rin ang enthusiasm at desire magtrabaho at magpasa ng panukalang batas,” ani Lacson, bagama’t inamin niyang may lungkot dahil posibleng mailabas ang mga warrant of arrest laban sa ilang kasamahan.
Dagdag pa niya, bagama’t ito ay isang “bitter pill to swallow,” kailangang wakasan ang korapsyon sa mga kuwestiyonableng proyekto sa imprastraktura.
“Dalawa ang tama sa leeg ng Pilipino. Tinamaan sa leeg sa expenditure side at tinamaan sa leeg sa revenue side. Bugbog-sarado ang Pilipino. Ang binayad mong buwis ninakaw na tapos ang binayaran mong buwis titirahin ka pa,” ani Lacson. “Dapat may hangganan. May tao talagang they really don’t know when to stop, di alam kung kailan titigil.”
*****