Manila: Malaca±ang on Monday said it is open to exploring the use of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) to help locate and arrest fugitive former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co, in addition to the ongoing Interpol coordination. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Justice (DOJ), and Department of the Interior and Local Government have been consulted on the proposal raised by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson.
According to Philippines News Agency, Foreign Affairs Secretary Lazaro stated, "Yes, we can explore UNCAC as it has international cooperation mechanisms, but it will have to depend on the country. Countries are obliged to provide, as applicable and in accord with domestic law, possible mutual legal assistance to each other." Castro explained in a press briefing that the Presidential UNCAC Inter-Agency Committee, chaired by the Executive Secretary, must be convened, as it "implements and monitors UNCAC."
On the part of the DOJ, Castro mentioned that there has been no active coordination yet with the United Nations nor a formal invocation of UNCAC. "Interpol pa lang po ang coordination (Coordination is currently limited to Interpol)," she said.
Meanwhile, Castro cited Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla as saying that "the matter has been referred to the commission for transnational crimes," adding that he is "certain that the option mentioned by Senator Ping is part of the agenda."
Responding to questions on whether intelligence-gathering issues caused delays in arresting Co, Castro said the warrant of arrest was issued only recently. "Kailan lamang po nagkaroon ng warrant of arrest.last week, two weeks ago. But hindi po ibig sabihin nito na napakatagal na po...wala pong kinalaman ito sa intel funds (The warrant of arrest was issued only recently...last week, two weeks ago. But that does not mean it has taken a long time...this has nothing to do with intelligence funds)," she said.
Castro also addressed questions on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s earlier assurance that arrests would be made before Christmas in connection with the alleged flood control project anomalies. "Katulad po ng pangako ng Pangulo ay mayroong maisyuhan ng warrant of arrest, may hindi magiging maganda ang Pasko dahil sa mga nasangkot sa maanomalyang flood control project (In line with the President's promise, warrants of arrest will be issued, and some of those involved in the anomalous flood control project may not have a pleasant Christmas)," she said. She added that the cases are being actively worked on by the DOJ and the Office of the Ombudsman, urging the public to wait for developments.
