Finding Co: Tapping UN treaty eyed

National

TAPPING an anti-corruption convention of the United Nations (UN) is being eyed as part of an intensified effort to track down Zaldy Co, the fugitive resigned lawmaker.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson suggested exploring the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

In a report by Philstar, Lacson said tapping the resources of the 191 countries that signed the treaty would help hasten the arrest of Co.

Co is said to be in Portugal.

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 in the report.

According to Castro, 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.

Castro added that according to the Department of Justice, there is no active coordination yet with the UN with regard to UNCAC.(MyTVCebu)