Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson has urged the Office of the Solicitor General to review the Supreme Court's 'fugitive disentitlement doctrine' to restrict legal avenues for fugitives like former congressman Zaldy Co and businessman Charlie 'Atong' Ang. The call follows a 2025 court decision clarifying rules on those evading justice. This aims to prevent accused individuals from seeking relief while avoiding court jurisdiction.
On January 31, 2026, Lacson posted on X calling on the Solicitor General: 'Paging SolGen: It may be wise to ask the Court to revisit the “fugitive disentitlement doctrine” in GR 259337 dtd Nov. 25, 2025 that refined Miranda vs Tuliao in relation to the cases of Zaldy Co and Atong Ang.'
Zaldy Co faces charges from the Sandiganbayan and the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, chaired by Lacson, for his involvement in a multibillion-peso public works corruption scheme. Meanwhile, Charlie 'Atong' Ang is sought for orchestrating the disappearance of cockfight enthusiasts known as sabungeros. In his petition, Co argued the doctrine should not apply to his cases since no judgment has been rendered and he is neither an appellant nor an escapee or bail jumper.
The 2025 Supreme Court decision clarified the Miranda vs. Tuliao ruling, which previously allowed fugitives to seek affirmative relief in criminal cases from abroad. It defined a fugitive as someone who flees after conviction to avoid punishment or after being charged to evade prosecution, emphasizing 'the essential element is the intent to evade prosecution or punishment.' The ruling stated that jurisdiction over the accused is not gained merely through filing pleadings or counsel's participation; 'Custody over the person of the accused must first be obtained before the case may proceed.'
Separately, the National Bureau of Investigation confirmed that Interpol has not yet issued a red notice against Co. Lacson's proposal forms part of broader efforts to combat corruption and flight from justice in the Philippines.
