Former Ako Bicol Party-List Representative Zaldy Co has reportedly sent “feelers” to priests as a way of signaling his intention to engage in a "dialogue" with the authorities, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Wednesday, according to Edniel Parrosa's report on DZRH MBC TV Network News.

In an ambush interview in Camp Crame, Remulla said that Co—who resigned as House Appropriations Committee Chair and faces an arrest warrant in connection with alleged irregularities in flood control projects—expressed a desire to communicate with the government through intermediaries.

At the New Year’s Call at Camp Crame, Remulla stated that Co made a presence felt to the government and reportedly conveyed his intention to speak with authorities through friends who are priests, directed toward his brother, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla.

“Meron na siyang feelers through sa mga ibang pari na kilala niya…Nagpapaconnect na gusto ng dialogue sa amin pero of course that’s not verified parang nagsabi pa lang. Sinabi ng kaibigan ng kaibigan na pinaparating,” Remulla said.

Despite this, Remulla emphasized that authorities remain open to dialogue, provided it is genuine.

“We take it seriously, kung gusto makipag-dialogue kakausapin namin. Pero kung bribe, ‘wag na,” he said.

According to the DILG chief, Co is still in Portugal, and the government is reportedly coordinating with the Senate on ways to facilitate his return to the Philippines.

Co is allegedly involved in a multi-billion kickback scheme linked to anomalous flood control projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Meanwhile, during the resumption of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Monday, January 19, the panel moved to issue show-cause orders against former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co after he failed to appear in the investigation into the flood control scandal, together with former Philippine Marine Orly Guteza.