PASAY CITY — Veteran litigator Atty. Ruy Rondain, former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co’s lawyer, told reporters Wednesday that unless the government presents clarified, admissible evidence, his client faces no criminal case.
At a press briefing held in Pasay City, Atty. Rondain said the public narrative against Co has been “so skewed and twisted because of misinformation.” He stressed that allegations should target “the what, where, when, who, and how” of an alleged crime.
“So if the government says that there’s a crime, prove the crime,” the lawyer remarked, noting that all existing allegations against the former lawmaker do not hold water. “Until you specify what was stolen, from whom, how you profited and when, you don’t have a case,” he explained.
Atty. Rondain also emphasized that no sworn complaint has yet been filed by the Office of the Ombudsman against Co.
“A criminal investigation has to be initiated by a complaint. I’ve not seen any complaint,” he stated. He added that until formal charges are made, there is “no tactical benefit to filing a counter-affidavit.”
He challenged what he described as pre-judgment by government officials, citing Secretary Vince Dizon’s earlier remark that “60 people will be in jail by Christmas.” He argued that this suggests the case against Co is being treated in the court of public opinion, rather than based on formal proof.
Rondain appealed for public caution against being swayed by sensational claims. “I understand that mainit ang ulo ng taumbayan. Pati ako, nainis ako nang marinig kong si Brice Hernandez may Lamborghini. But ang appeal ko is let’s look at the evidence. Madaling ma-sway kapag naririnig natin na ang daming pera nito,” he said.
Ending his briefing, Atty. Rondain reiterated the defense’s position: “We’re not here to fight in the media. We’re here to remind everyone that justice requires evidence, not noise.”
