JANUARY 9, 2026 — Eight luxury vehicles were seized in Bonifacio Global City, allegedly linked to former congressman Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co. A Rolls-Royce, three Cadillac Escalades, two Lexus units, a Mercedes-Benz, and a Toyota Sequoia. All tucked away in condo parking slots, as if the glitter of wealth could camouflage them from the law.

Authorities say these cars were registered under Co’s companies, his spouse, and even hotel firms tied to him. 

Retired General Rodolfo Azurin confirmed, “Basically, nakarehistro ito sa company ni Congressman Zaldy Co, so we are determining ngayon kung ano ba yung ownership nito.” 

(Basically, these are registered under Congressman Zaldy Co’s company, so we are now determining the ownership.)

The Bureau of Customs, Highway Patrol Group, CIDG, and Taguig Police swooped in after months of surveillance. 

Police Chief Byron Allatog explaine, “Nagkaroon ng information regarding these alleged questionable luxury cars. With that, nagkaroon ng verification, at ang Taguig City Police Station ang inatasan na mag-verify.” 

(We received information about these alleged questionable luxury cars. With that, verification was conducted, and the Taguig City Police Station was tasked to verify.)

Is justice stuck in traffic too?

But why only now? These vehicles had been “under surveillance” since December. If ordinary Filipinos can’t even get away with unpaid car registration fees, how does someone like Co, an established fugitive, manage to stash Rolls-Royces and Escalades in one of the country’s most high-profile districts?

Why is justice so slow?

HPG Director Hansel Marantan was blunt: “There are Bureau of Customs violations already … There are also motor vehicles reported to the HPG as spurious, with suspected contraband inside — that’s why we are here.”

Yet despite the operation, despite the warrants, despite the glaring violations, Zaldy Co himself remains elusive. 

Untouchable? Protected? Or is the government simply turning a blind eye?

Remember, Co is wanted for graft and malversation over a P289.5-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla even said his last known location was Portugal. 

International authorities are reportedly after him too. But as far as the Philippines is concerned, he’s practically invisible. 

Money, connections, and influence — these seem to be his armor.

The CIDG also revealed that some of the seized cars were already flagged in Region 5 investigations. One Lexus and one Fortuner were found hidden in the BGC condo. Registered under Sunwest Incorporated, Co’s construction firm, and other companies linked to him, the vehicles scream of a paper trail that authorities are only now piecing together.

BOC spokesperson Chris Noel Bendijo didn’t mince words: “Ibig sabihin nito ay unlawful importation. Sineselyuhan natin ang mga sasakyan na nakita natin na may ganitong violation.” 

(This means unlawful importation. We are sealing the vehicles we found with such violations.)

So what does this mean for the ordinary Filipino? For the jeepney driver who scrapes together money for fuel, for the office worker who pays taxes religiously, for the family who dreams of owning even a secondhand car? 

It means the system still bends for the powerful.

The Co conundrum

And then there’s the notion that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, and due process must always be respected. But the thing is, why is Zaldy Co in hiding? Shouldn’t he be taking this opportunity to defend himself, even prove his so-called innocence?

At the end of the day, if you go into hiding, that sends the loudest message — that you’re guilty.

Co should face the law, defend himself, and trust that the process will produce the truth. Because justice isn’t just about seizing cars or freezing assets. It’s also about accountability, transparency, and proving innocence (or guilt) in the light of day.

And it leaves us asking, how many more luxury cars, condos, or hidden assets are out there, shielded by influence and wealth? You see, when justice is delayed, it is not just denied — it is mocked in the face of the Filipino people.

So tell me, is this the kind of “progress” we should accept in the flood control scandal — cars seized, but the man behind them still untouchable?

But then again, true justice is not about shortcuts, speed, or spectacle, but about facing the law, respecting due process, and letting the truth speak for itself.

Justice may feel slow for now, but if we respect due process and let the law take its course, the truth will eventually surface.

(Image: @zaldyco_ | Instagram)