At the UN summit in Doha, Ombudsman Boying Remulla aims to strengthen international cooperation in combating corruption and fugitive justice. Remulla's strategy involves networking with countries where fugitives might seek refuge, leveraging the summit's platform to foster relationships and potentially secure reciprocity in accommodating fugitives. This approach is particularly relevant to Zaldy Co, a former congressman accused of corruption in the 2025 national budget and the owner of Sunwest Construction, a firm with a history of substandard public works projects. Co, declared a fugitive by the Sandiganbayan, has resigned from Congress and faces criminal charges. Remulla also highlights the case of Harry Roque, a former Duterte-era spokesperson, whose passport was canceled due to a human trafficking case. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission has requested an Interpol red notice against Roque. The UNCAC summit, attended by 192 governments, anti-corruption advocates, and the private sector, focuses on non-binding resolutions that encourage signatory states to meet global standards. While the summit's outcomes are not legally binding, they exert pressure on countries like the Philippines to uphold international standards in their fight against corruption.
