UN treaty eyed in search for Co

MANILA, Philippines, December 16 ------ The Marcos administration is open to tapping an anti-corruption convention of the United Nations to track down fugitive resigned lawmaker Zaldy Co, who has been charged with graft and malversation of public funds over an anomalous flood control project.

The suggestion to explore the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) was made by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, who said it would be easier to find and arrest Co if the resources of the 191 countries that signed the treaty are tapped.

Article 38 of the UNCAC, adopted in 2003 and ratified by the Philippine Senate in 2006, mandates cooperation among state-parties in investigating and prosecuting criminal offenses. “According to Foreign Affairs Secretary (Ma. Theresa) Lazaro, ‘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, widest possible mutual legal assistance to each other,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing.

Castro said Lazaro had pointed out that the Presidential UNCAC Inter-Agency Committee led by the executive secretary should be convened as it implements and monitors the convention. Citing the Department of Justice (DOJ), Castro said there is no active coordination yet with the UN with regard to UNCAC. Co is believed to be in Portugal.

Source: philstar.com